Schubert Death and the Maiden arranged for woodwind quintet by Simeon Loring

I am pleased to present this arrangement of Schubert's String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, known as "Death and the Maiden," for woodwind quintet. Composed in 1824, this masterpiece stands as one of the most powerful works in the chamber music repertoire, taking its name from Schubert's earlier song "Der Tod und das Mädchen."

The composition unfolds in four distinct movements:

1. Allegro: A dramatic opening movement in D minor that sets the work's intense emotional tone. The forceful unison theme and its development showcase the full expressive range of the ensemble, with moments of both turbulent drama and lyrical beauty.
2. Andante con moto: The famous variation movement based on Schubert's song "Death and the Maiden." The theme, originally representing Death's gentle but inexorable call, unfolds through a series of increasingly elaborate variations, each exploring different aspects of this haunting melody.
3. Scherzo: Allegro molto: A vigorous movement that alternates between forceful rhythmic passages and a more lyrical trio section, providing moments of contrast within the work's overall dramatic arc.
4. Presto: The finale, written in tarantella style, drives the work to its conclusion with relentless energy and virtuosic passages for all instruments, building to an intense conclusion in D minor.

The price for each of the first, second, and fourth movements is set at $30. The third movement (Scherzo), being shorter, is available for $20. The complete work can be obtained for $100, offering a comprehensive experience of this remarkable composition at a slight discount compared to purchasing the movements individually.