String Quartet in D minor ('Death and the Maiden') played by the Blech String Quartet:
Harry Blech (violin)
Max Salpeter (violin)
Keith Cummings (viola)
William Pleeth (cello)
Schubert's Quartet in D minor, which is in four movements, takes its name from the slow movement, which is a very beautiful set of variations on his song 'Death and the Maiden'. Indeed, this work might easily be called 'Tragic' for, in addition to the choice of theme for the slow movement, the first movement is imbued with the spirit of resignation and sorrow. It was certainly written about the time that Schubert was going through pecuniary troubles and illness: 'I am', he said, 'the most unhappy and wretched creature in the world'.