Jenůfa had already premiered, and Janáček had presented several operas, but his name was not widely known in the musical circles of the time. He was already approaching 60 at that time.

This made Janáček uneasy. More than being driven by impatience, he was primarily concerned about his future prospects. As he himself later admitted, this work describes the unstable situation before Jenůfa achieved success in Prague. As if to express the composer's fluctuating state of mind, the same melodies and ostinatos traverse each movement, transforming their forms. The "mist" in the title is said to represent this, and many also link it to the frequent use of black keys, which impart subtle nuances. However, the strength of this work lies in its ability to maintain the dignity of a miniature piece without being submerged in the outpouring of emotion.

Movements

• First Movement: Andante
• Second Movement: Molto Adagio
• Third Movement: Andantino
• Fourth Movement: Presto