Schubert set Johann von Salis-Seewis' poem "Das Grab" (The Grave) five times. The first two come from the same day, December 28, 1815. The first of these was a 13-bar fragment for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass accompanied by piano in slow C minor. The second from that day is this infinitely deeper version for two tenors, one baritone, and one bass accompanied by piano in slow G minor (D. 330). Where the uncompleted first version was canonic, the completed second version is homophonic, with the male voices intoning the melody over solemn chords of the piano. Each of Salis-Seewis' poem is set to the same dolorous music. The hushed awe of the singers and the steady pulse of the piano give the completed version a gravity suitable for the poem. And Schubert's unearthly modulation for each mention of the "unknown land" beyond the grave is truly supernatural.

© James Leonard, Rovi