Esteemed as one of the finest violinists of his time, but also a violist, Pierre Vachon (1738–1803) enjoyed a brilliant international career: in Paris at the Concert Spirituel, in the service of the Prince de Conti, then in London and finally in Berlin, where he became Konzertmeister of the royal orchestra in 1786. He was also a skilful composer who excelled in the string quartet, helping to create recognition in France for this nascent genre.

The 2nd of his Six Quartettos, opus VII, is one of the most interesting early French productions. Published in London and Paris around 1772–73, at the time when Haydn was composing his quartets Op. 9 and 20, it demonstrates the existence of an original and specific style that started the flowering of the concertante quartet: full and rich sonorities, dense and balanced writing in the three upper parts. The cello part includes figures, suggesting the possibility of a performance with harpsichord. In D major and in three movements (Allegro, Andantino, Rondeau), this quartet was intended for amateurs, as was common practice at the time, and was certainly performed by Vachon in concert, accompanied by other virtuosos.