Mit Liebes Affekt (with the affect of love) has to be one of the most expressive of all Schubert's expressive markings. And it is entirely appropriate for his setting of Bernard Ehrlich's shyly ardent poem "Als ich sie erroten sah" (When I Saw Her Blush). Written in early 1815, when the composer was himself an 18-year-old boy in love, Als ich sie erroten sah is full of love's affect. Indeed, to sing it any other way—as an ironic scherzo or a playful bit of musical sarcasm, would betray the music's sincerity.

The quickly lilting vocal melody swaying far above the piano's rippling sextuplet accompaniment couldn't bear the weight of adult's self-consciousness any more than an 18-year-old could bear an adult's criticism. A most delightfully charming song from Schubert's youth.

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