The String Quartet No. 12 in F, Op. 96, B. 179, by Antonín Dvořák is nicknamed the American and is one of his most popular pieces of chamber music.

There are four movements - Allegro ma non troppo, Lento, Molto Vivace and Finale - vivace ma non troppo.

The work lasts around 30 minutes.

Dvořák composed the Quartet in 1893 during a summer retreat from his teaching work in New York. He spent his vacation in Spillville, Iowa, which was home to a Czech immigrant community. Like the New World Symphony, the Quartet is said to be inspired by local American melodies but these themes are never directly quoted. On New Year's Day, 1894, the quartet received its premiere performance in Boston.

The spirited third movement imitates the song of an American bird. According to Dvořák, this birdsong is quoted by the first violin.

You can buy this music from Amazon.