Franz Schubert composed the song ''Death and the Maiden'' in 1817, and in 1824 used that melody in the theme-and-variations second movement of his String Quartet in D minor D. 810. The song's popularity in the second half of the 19th century was responsible for the string quartet becoming known by the title ''Death and the Maiden.'' Like all of Schubert's mature chamber music works, it captivates with its technical perfection, emotional drama, and high intellectual demands. Very prominent here is Schubert's desire to motivically link the movements together. It is no wonder it is one of the pillars of the string quartet repertory.
