String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor (Death and the Maiden), D. 810
Franz Schubert
Work background
Researched classical background
Schubert's D-minor quartet takes its familiar name from the slow movement, whose variations use material from his song Death and the Maiden. That quotation sits within a four-movement work of forceful rhythms and sharply contrasting textures. The ensemble repeatedly shifts between unified statements and individual lines. The nickname identifies a musical borrowing rather than a detailed program for every movement.
A listening guide
Listen to how the slow movement's theme changes character as each instrument takes a different role in the variations.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Two violins, viola, and cello
Composition: 1824
Private performance and publication followed later; the borrowed song theme dates from an earlier work.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Death and the Maiden; Der Tod und das Madchen
Date, title and version notes
The song quotation does not establish a narrative program for the entire quartet.
String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden" - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden" - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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