In D 810, the calm music once associated with Death leaves the Lied and enters a string quartet where repose, menace, memory, and acceptance can inhabit the same theme. i Work Information Composer: Franz Schubert (1797–1828) Title: String Quartet in D minor, D 810, commonly known as “Death and the Maiden” Year of composition: March 1824 First known private readings: Vienna, January–February 1826 First documented complete public performance: Berlin, 1833, by an ensemble led by the violinist Karl Moser Genre: String quartet Structure: Four movements Duration: approx. 38–42 minutes Instrumentation: two violins, viola, and cello First edition: Vienna, Joseph Czerny, 1831, published after the composer’s death Source of the nickname: the 1817 Lied Der Tod und das Mädchen , D 531, setting a poem by Matthias Claudius Schubert’s D-minor Quartet begins as though something irreversible has already occurred. A unison D, an abrupt surge of triplets, and the compact entry of ...