Unlike the previous three quartets, written for the flutist Ferdinand De Jean, the Quartet in A is believed to have been written for recreational purposes, as opposed to on commission.
The work is thought to have been written sometime in 1786 or 1787, only a few years before the composer's death.
It is in three movements: The third movement is notable for its humorously detailed tempo indication: "Rondieaoux: Allegretto grazioso, ma non troppo presto, però non troppo adagio.
Così-così—con molto garbo ed espressione" (or, translated, "A joke rondo: Allegretto grazioso, but not too fast, nor too slow.
This article about a composition for a chamber music group is a stub.