A string quintet is a musical composition for five string players. As an extension to the string quartet (two violins, a viola, and a cello), a string quintet includes a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola (a so-called "viola quintet") or a second cello (a "cello quintet"), or occasionally a double bass.

Typical layout
Cello quintet
Viola quintet

Notable examples of classic "viola quintets", in four movement form include those of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Other examples were written by composers including Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn.

A famous "cello quintet" is Franz Schubert's Quintet in C major. Antonín Dvořák's Quintet Op. 77 uses a double bass, and Mozart's famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik may be performed with this instrumentation (the double bass being optional).

Alternative additions include clarinet or piano (see clarinet quintet, piano quintet); and other closely related chamber music genres include the string quartet (much more common), the string trio, and the string sextet. A more unusual form of string quintet is the violin quintet composed of 3 violins, a viola and a cello (thus a string quartet with an additional violin).

The term string quintet may refer to a group of five players that performs such works. The ensemble was standard in 17th century Italy and can be seen as early as 1607 in Claudio Monteverdi's opera, L'Orfeo.[1]

List of viola quintets

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List of cello quintets

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Sheet music for a piano arrangement of the celebrated string quintet in E (an example of a 'cello quintet') by Luigi Boccherini

String quintets for 3 violins, viola and cello

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List of double bass quintets

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String quintets for other combinations

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An unusual string quintet (De Zagerij Pro) consisting of four cellos and a double bass, Hof, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, 2019
  • Felix Draeseke – one Quintet in A for Two Violins, Viola, Violotta, and Cello (the Stelzner-Quintett; 1897); Draeseke also composed one Cello Quintet- in F, Op. 77 (1901)

Works making use of a string quintet

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  • Nigel Keay – one Double Bass Quintet with Contralto, Tango Suite (2002)[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Myers, Herbert W. (2000). "When Is a Violino Not a Viola da Braccio?" The Galpin Society Journal 53, 335–39.
  2. ^ Parlett, David. "Catalog of music by Bax (1930-1939)". www.davpar.eu/bax. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  3. ^ Search by title: quintet carsoncooman.com, accessed 8 October 2020
  4. ^ Ewald? at catalog.library.cornell.edu
  5. ^ Ewald String Quintet in A Major, Op.4 For 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello www.editionsilvertrust.com, accessed 7 October 2020
  6. ^ Heinrich Kaminski (geb. Tiengen, 4. Juli 1886 — gest. Ried bei Benediktbeuern, 21. Juni 1946) Streichquintett fis-moll (I. Fassung, 1916 www.musikmph.de Archived September 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b c George ONSLOW "The French Beethoven" george.onslow.online.fr, accessed 7 October 2020
  8. ^ John IRELAND (1876–1962) String Quartets sleeve notes Naxos/ www.musicweb-international.com, accessed 7 October 2020
  9. ^ "Josef Gabriel Rheinberger: Streichquintett". www.carus-verlag.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  10. ^ Howell, Christopher (2002). "Review of ASV CDS DCA1056 & DCA925". www.musicweb-international.com. Musicweb International. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  11. ^ Johan Severin SVENDSEN (1840–1911) sleeve note to works including String Quintet in C major, Op. 5 BIS/www.musicweb-international.com, accessed 7 October 2020
  12. ^ a b "Merton Catalog". www.classical.net. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  13. ^ "Frank Martin Worklist". www.musinfo.ch. Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  14. ^ Thieriot? [dead link]
  15. ^ Bassett, Leslie, 1923- Quintets, violins (2), viola, violoncello, double bass NY Public Library reference, accessed 7 October 2020
  16. ^ Nigel Keay - Tango Suite (2002) www.nigelkeay.com, accessed 7 October 2020