In 1818 Franz Vincenz Krommer succeeded his compatriot Leopold Kozeluch as director of chamber music and court composer to the Habsburg emperors. His fame spread quite rapidly, particularly within France and Italy, countries to which he accompanied Emperor Franz I.

For a long time Krommer was unjustly overshadowed by his great contemporaries Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, but today his works are at last being rediscovered. His creative output comprises more than 300 works, including about a hundred string quartets that may also be played by various wind instruments.

Gaiety, humour and rhythmic variety are typical features of his works, as are his careful and inventive use of harmony and his employment of tradition elements from his native Bohemia.