The Czech composer, Martinů, was enormously prolific as a composer. With seven numbered quartets, the string quartet was one of his favourite forms of composition. Although, from the 1930s onwards, Martinů came to make increasing use of Czech thematic material, he spent the last 36 years of his life outside his native country. Although the String Quartet No. 3, written in Paris in 1929, explores new timbres, it has discernible elements of contemporary French influence and textures that occasionally recall Debussy. String Quartet No. 6, written in New York in 1946, is noteworthy for its Bartókian textures and rhythms.