Album: Schubert, Der Tod und das Mädchen (Laborie)

The dry, almost dusty acoustics of Studio la Borie mimic the close atmosphere of Der Tod und das Mädchen's private premiere in 1826.

Often paired with the Quartettsatz of 1820, this knowing tale of early death is instead paired with the early G-minor Quartet (D173). The Amish severity of Quatuor Mosaïque's gut strings acquires a narcotic quality in the Andante con moto variations of the later work. Boldly articulated and intelligently shaped, this is a claustrophobic, dramatic performance.