Wernick's tenth String Quartet was written for the Emerson String Quartet, with whom he had previously collaborated (his String Quartet No. 4 is also dedicated to the ensemble). The Emerson premiered the work in Berlin in March, during a European tour of three countries. A performance was also scheduled for their appearance at Tanglewood, July 23. String Quartet No. 10 is crafted in three movements: Prelude, Fuga Pomposa & Postlude (Maestoso); Scherzo Serioso (with a secular song of thanks); and CODA (Lamentoso).