This work, dedicated to Zdenka—the woman Janáček most confided in at the time—was written in 1880. At that time, he was a young man in his late twenties, studying music in Leipzig.

Although Janáček had achieved success as a teacher and musician in his hometown of Brno, he still harbored a dream of receiving an education in the centers of the music world, such as Germany or Vienna. In 1879, his wish was granted, and he moved to Leipzig. At that time, one of his local pupils was Zdenka Schulzová.

This work was originally composed as part of his conservatory studies. It is quite distinct from the unique musical perspective based on folk songs that can be heard in his so-called representative works, possessing a beauty with Romanticism reminiscent of Schumann and a traditional structure and harmony that can be traced back to Beethoven.

As this work symbolizes, his days in Leipzig were the best opportunity for Janáček to absorb the foundations of German music, and at the same time, they became the catalyst for him to feel uncomfortable with existing styles. After this work, Janáček left Leipzig and moved his base to Vienna.

Away from Brno, Janáček encountered the 'outside' world for the first time. It was also during this period that he felt the stirrings of patriotism within himself.