Alexander von Zemlinsky, mentor to Arnold Schoenberg (who became his brother-in-law), composed this quartet in 1896 during Vienna's late-Romantic period. The work showcases Brahmsian influences while foreshadowing early modernist harmonies.
Composed when Zemlinsky was only 25, this quartet bridges late-Romantic expressiveness and emerging modernist harmonies. Dedicated to Brahms, it features rich textures and chromaticism that foreshadow Zemlinsky's future innovations while honoring Viennese tradition.