It is surprising that for such a long time Boccherini's quartets have been neglected by all, except the composer’s most dedicated scholars. Op. 8 was published in Paris in 1769 (Beethoven was yet to be born and Mozart was only fifteen) and was an immediate success both with performers and audiences, probably in virtue of its liveliness and uniformity, qualities which were characteristic of Italian instrumental music of that period, yet more significant features distinguished Boccherini's works.