The string quartet was one of Dvořák’s favourite musical formats, occupying him throughout his career. In their mixture of rhythmic vitality and beautiful melody, the early Quartets Nos. 1 and 6 demonstrate all the hallmarks of Dvořák’s musical language familiar from compositions of his maturity. The Quartet in A major, the first of the fourteen and written in 1862, was revised by the composer for its first performance in 1888. Originally in five continuous sections, the Quartet No. 6 was completed in 1873. Dvořák then decided to turn it into a conventional four movement work but never finished. Jarmil Burghauser (1921-1997) completed the revision, with both manuscripts at his disposal.