This quartet is suffused with a rich romantic vein of songfulness and exquisitely unpredictable metrical patterns. From start to finish it eloquently bespeaks Dvorak's down-home expressive style. The inner movements in particular feature some unexpected turns of harmony.

The opening allegro ma non troppo begins in a richly romantic minor-key singing style with elaborate and active chordal accompaniments. The texture becomes more lively and instruments share melodic interest as the music moves along. The dramatic mood that is implicit at the beginning is addressed and developed as the movement progresses.

The ensuing Andante commodo again begins with singing material over an animatedly rich chordal accompaniment. The music seems to be seeking refuge from the preceding dramatic concerns without quite managing to do so. We are on somewhat firm territory, but never entirely secure.

Next is an Allegro scherzando that features a main theme that is profusely ornamented with gaudy grace notes and a trio that is more directly songful.

The final allegro ma non troppo begins with a carefree skipping theme over an accompaniment rich with repeated-note triplets, a figure that is never far away at any time during this movement. The texture always feels taut even though we are offered a plethora of singing material, and the music ends happily with powerful major-key energy riding high on vigorous repeated-note figures.

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