Dvořák composed his String Quartet No. 12, the 'American' Quartet, in just 15 days while living in the Czech community of Spillville, Iowa.
Dvořák often composed his string quartets in pairs, as seen with Opp. 105 and 106, which were both completed by the end of 1895.
The Terzetto proved too difficult for Dvořák's friends, so he wrote other music for them, later arranged as Op. 75, Four Romantic Pieces.
Dvořák began composing his String Quartet No. 11 after reading in a newspaper that it was scheduled for performance, despite not yet existing.
The Guarneri String Quartet, the performers on this album, retired at the end of the 2008-09 season after 45 years of performing.
Dvořák wrote his Terzetto in C Major for two amateur violinist friends, intending to play the viola part himself.
During his time in Spillville, Iowa, Dvořák would wake at five to hear birds sing and played the organ at seven o'clock Mass.
