The following is from the March 2004 Encore, publication of BMG, describing
the Art of Fugue:

   "The world-renowned Emerson String Quartet memorably interprets
   Bach's enigmatic final masterpiece -- even though the string
   quartet as a form was unknown to Bach."

Okay, Listfolk: What was the first string quartet?  This is a request
for information, not a trivia question.  BTW, this disc is on sale at
BMG for $4.99.

Mitch Friedfeld