Background
In June 1882, after composing the monumental cycle Má vlast, operas Tajemství, Čertova stěna and other works, Smetana began thinking about the creation of his second string quartet. A month later he finished the first movement. In a letter to his friend Josef Srba the deaf and dejected composer presents the difficulties with the work, his misgivings and fears. He continued very slowly, and the whole composition wasn't finished until 12 March 1883. (Several minor changes were made after the work was completed). Smetana attended the first non-public performance in Spring (April?) 1883. The first public performance took place on 3 January 1884, at the Konvikt Hall in Prague. The work was played by Ferdinand Lachner, Julius Raušer, Josef Krehan and Alois Neruda.
The quartet was published posthumously, in 1889.
Read more about this topic: String Quartet No. 2 (Smetana)
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