Bartók, Béla, 1881-1945. Quartets, violins (2), viola, cello, no. 6

The String Quartet No. 6 in D minor, Sz. 114, BB 119, was the final string quartet that Béla Bartók wrote before his death in 1945. The composition of the piece came at a very tumultuous time in the composer's life. With the outbreak of World War II and his mother's illness, Bartók returned to Budapest, where the quartet was finished in November. After his mother's death, Bartók decided to leave with his family for the United States. Additionally, he began experiencing pain in his right shoulder, which have been speculated as being early signs of the blood disorder that would eventually take his life. Due to the war, communication between Bartók and Székely was difficult, and the quartet was not premiered until 20 January 1941, when the Kolisch Quartet, to whom the work is dedicated, gave its premiere at the Town Hall in New York City. The quartet represents a departure from his previous two quartets, with a four movement scheme rather than the five movements of the previous two. Each movement of the piece begins with a slow introduction, which contributes to the nostalgic tone of the piece.