Quartet in D minor, Op. posth.
1 Allegro. 2 Andante con moto (Variations on ' Death and the Maiden'). 3 Scherzo: Allegro molto. 4 Presto played by The Macgibbon String Quartet :
Margot Macgibbon (violin)
Jessie Stewart (violin)
Olive Davidson (viola)
Peers Coetmore. (violoncello)
Schubert more than once made use of the same melody in more than one work. This quartet is a case in point ; it takes its name from the slow movement, which is a very beautiful set of variations on his song ' Death and the Maiden '. Alike to chamber-music enthusiasts and to the plain man to whom simple melody appeals, this is among the finest of all the works which Schubert left, rich in all the qualities that endear him to everybody.
There are four movements : the first, brilliant and energetic with the usual two main themes. The ' Death and the Maiden ' variations come next, and then there is a merry scherzo, with a trio based on a fine flowing melody. The last movement is in the brightest of good spirits throughout.