String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden", D. 810, was completed in 1824 by Austrian composer Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828). This is one of his two 'named' late string quartets that are generally considered to be among the best ever composed in the genre. The name "Death and the Maiden" refers to the use of the opening theme from his song of the same name. Even more than the Rosamunde Quartet, this work illustrates Schubert's sympathy, even longing, for death. The average playing time is 40 minutes (AllMusic). I have two versions, of which I prefer the one by the Quartetto Italiano on a Philips CD.
