From Birmingham
THE PHILHARMONIC STRING QUARTET : PAUL
BEARD (Violin), HAROLD MILLS (2nd Violin). FRANK VENTON (Viola), HERBERT STEPHEN
(Violoncello)
THIS, one of Schubert's loveliest works, ia in four Movements.
The First Movement, energetic, somewhat long and fully developed, is made out of two Main Tunes, the First in the minor key and the second a quietly happy major tune, given out by First and Second Violins, the Viola and Cello rocking gently beneath.
The Second (Slow) Movement is a set of Variations on a tune from one of his early songs-the dialogue between Death and the Maiden. In this song a maiden bids Death pass her by, and leave her to enjoy her youth. But Death in tho tones which we hear at the beginning of this Movement, bids her not to fear, but to rest, free from care, in his arms.
The five Variations in the melody cover a wide range of emotion.
The Third Movement is a playful Scherzo, with a lyrical middle section.
Finally, wo have a rollicking, quick Movement built, like the First, on two Main Tunes, one dance-like and the other in martial style.