[8] Elgar had written a string quartet much earlier in his career, to which he assigned the opus number 8, but destroyed it.
In February 1900, Elgar and his wife attended a performance of his Enigma Variations in Manchester, conducted by Hans Richter.
At supper after the concert Richter introduced Elgar to Adolph Brodsky and his wife, and to Carl Fuchs.
He began work on the String Quartet on 25 March 1918, while recovering at home at Severn House after having his tonsils removed.
In May, Lady Elgar found "Brinkwells", a cottage surrounded by woods near Fittleworth in Sussex, in which he could work in seclusion away from the cares of the world.
[14] The Quartet was first performed privately at Elgar's London home Severn House in January 1919, with George Bernard Shaw present, among others.
(Some sources say the London String Quartet gave the premiere, but Albert Sammons was the only member common to both groups.)