Ernst spent a good deal of time trying to re-establish contact with old friends and acquaintances. The Musical World was soon able to report: 'Herr Ernst is at present on a visit to Mr Fountaine, at Narford Hall, Brandon in Norfolk. 'Herr Ernst,' the Musical World informed its readers, 'who is now in London, at the residence of Dr. — - is said to be far advanced in the composition of a new quartet in A major. The critic of the Reader, on the other hand, was favourably impressed: 'Herr Ernst's new quartet was listened to with genuine pleasure. Ernst's faster tempo gives a more realistic impression of two violinists playing together, and the technique's necessarily low volume is better suited to Ernst's inner variation than to Wieniawski's finale. Ernst's own finale, is a wonderful summa of violin technique, including scales on one string, double harmonics, rapid artificial harmonic, and pizzicato chords.