Geri deGruy's blog of art, musings, and inspiration

EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC. 

I have known this piece for many years yet each time I listen again, it knocks me on the floor.  

"Death and the Maiden" is Franz Schubert's string quartet #14 in D minor.  He wrote this exquisite piece when he knew that he, himself was dying. The quartet has 4 movement, each moving and intense.  

The name of the quartet was taken from an art song written by Schubert at an earlier time. (Death and the Maiden D. 531) The words:

Maiden

Oh! leave me! Prithee, leave me! thou grisly man of bone!

For life is sweet, is pleasant.

Go! leave me now alone!

Go! leave me now alone!

Death

Give me they hand, oh! maiden fair to see

For I'm a friend, hath ne're distress'd thee.

Take courage now and very soon

Within mine arm shalt softly rest thee!

To hear the first movement of "Death and the Maiden", click here.  For the second movement, perhaps the most intense, click here. Please listen to the other movements as well!  They are beautiful!