Erich Wolfgang Korngold's six Simple Songs were composed during his teen years, attesting to his status as one of the great child prodigy composers. The first three songs of the group are by the great German poet Joseph von Eichendorff, whose work was often set to music by nineteenth century Lieder composers. "Schneeglöckchen" (Snowdrop) features an exquisite melody that suggests the soaring lyricism of Richard Strauss. In the second song, "Nachtwanderer" (Night Wanderer), Korngold recalls the works of Franz Schubert. Like his predecessor did in songs such as Der Erlkönig and Der Doppelgänger, Korngold effectively uses the piano accompaniment to create a sense of impending doom. Even at so young an age, the composer makes his own harmonic statement, using sequential dissonance to portray the foreboding mood of the poem. "Das Ständchen" (The Serenade) is the most lighthearted song of the group, capturing the wistful tone of Eichendorff's poem. The fourth song of the set, "Liebesbriefchen" (Love Letters), is one of Korngold's most captivating. The straightforward text, a tender expression of devotion between distant lovers, inspired the composer to create a melody which is as touching as it is beautiful. "Das Heldengrab am Pruth" (The hero's grave at Pruth) is a haunting song of lost love, a theme to which Korngold returned frequently in his compositions. The sixth and final song, "Sommer" (Summer), is on a poem by the playwright Siegfried Trebitsch. Korngold beautifully captures the mystical character of the text through his inspired melodic writing and rich piano accompaniment.

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