Kurtág, winner of the 2006 Grawemeyer Award in music composition, began composition of this work, his fourth string quartet, in 1999, and completed it in 2005. In this suite of 6 movements Kurtág borrows music from other compositions, particularly from his lengthy Játékok for piano. 6 Moments Musicaux was premiered in February of 2006 in Bordeaux, France, during a celebration of the composer's 80th birthday, performed by the Keller Quartet.