Schubert - "Death and the Maiden" Quartet in D Minor (2)

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828)

String quartet no. 14 in D minor "Der Tod und das Madchen" D810

2. Andante con moto [Part 1]**

Performed by the Takacs Quartet

HIGH QUALITY: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=azGjSn52KRo&fmt=18

*The String Quartet in D minor was written in 1824, just after Schubert became aware of his ruined health. It is popularly known as the "Death and the Maiden" Quartet because the second movement is adapted from the piano accompaniment to Schubert's 1817 song (or lied), "Death and the Maiden".

Ariel Dorfman's 1991 play "Death and the Maiden" and its 1994 film adaptation (directed by Roman Polanski) take their names from the quartet.

**Becuase this particular movement is over twelve minutes long, I have split the movement in two right after the end of the third variation. Here's a link to the second half of the movement: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wlBolNfvQ

Category:

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• takacs
• beethoven
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• classical
• romantic
• piano
• violin
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[Skal59]

Too fast ! Where is your heart ?

[HARMONICO101]

I prefer my classical/romantic transitional composers played like just that, rather than like late romantic wagnerian melodrama which seems to think that emotion comes from playing a piece extremely slow. I simply find that contrived.

At this tempo, it actually sounds like a "dance macabre" with the busy variations not sounding restrained like a hundred other performances and I find it incredibly evocative and emotional, not to mention I have yet to hear a performance as nuanced as this.

[mannerpanner]

I can't believe the flames that fly on the topic of renditions! A somber style seems to be more in character with Schubert's other chamber works in the slow movement. Music is and always will be an interpretive art, which suggests that performances can differ; how much though is up for debate. Rodrigo has heard many renditions of his famous guitar concerto and has reportedly liked many variations on the perf. I think many composers were open to differing takes; Schubert may have liked this ver.

[HARMONICO101]

And this isn't somber?

[dkfjsal]

Would this movement be considered to be based on a theme and variations?

[HARMONICO101]

Yup.

[pmfzero]

@HARMONICO101 - I agree. I've never heard it played in this tempo, and it does lend a more powerful emotional feel to the piece, although this is the only part I've heard so far.

[mtnscu]

@Skal59 It is not intended for you (it is directed at those who gave one particular comment of yours a gazillion negative votes), so you should not bother.

[Skal59]

@zigifrojd You just pointed out the problem: playing it too fast ruin the piece!

[Skal59]

@mtnscu I just can't see the interest of your comment. 

[mtnscu]

@Skal59 This is the opinion of one of your peers, dudes. Respecting the opinions of your peers is an exercise in democratic practices. Next time you thumb a comment down, think about that. Even if the comment seems (notice: I have used the verb "seem"!) outrageous (to YOU).

And the piece could sound fast. It is a matter of training and preference. Something else, too, indeed.

[WandaAdelladx319]

hmz keiner deutsch hihi

[EarthBoundRules]

@xdiscotique I agree, that's my favourite part of the whole quartet.

[TrevRockOne]

The weird thing is there's a live video of Takacs playing this very movement, and it's at a slower, perfect pace.

[psantosj]

I agree, the tempo is a bit fast in this one, this movement is precisely the dialogue between the Maiden and Death, where she asks not to be taken and Deat that reassures her. I did not dislike it totally but I really prefer the slower tempo that the Emerson Quartet gave it in its recording in the 1960's. (?)

[denislrn]

Schubert himself notes bout: Andante con moto. Nothing more, nothing less. Starts with a choral part. Never ignore the composer's marks, very less a compose like Schubert.

[denislrn]

Any doubt, see the scores.