Quartet Op. 16 (written in 1874) is the first chamberwork from a period in the composer'screative development in which he gradually extricated himself from theinfluence of GermanNeoRomanticism and began to work towards a more simplified and compact form andtowardshis own distinctive expression. Quartet No. 7 is a testimony of the composer'ssuccessfulattempts at purity of form, clarity and flawless treatment. This work has aspecial position inDvorak's chamber oeuvre: it was the first of his chamber pieces to come out inprint. This titleis part of the first Complete Critical Edition of Works by Antonin Dvorak.