Octet (music)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In music, an octet is a musical ensemble consisting of eight instruments or a musical composition written for it.
The two best known octets in classical music are probably those by Felix Mendelssohn (which is for a double string quartet) and Franz Schubert (which is for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violins, viola, cello, and double bass). Igor Stravinsky also wrote an octet for wind instruments (an unusual grouping of flute, clarinet, two bassoons, two trumpets, and two trombones) and Paul Hindemith wrote a lesser known piece for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, two violas, cello, and double bass. Dmitri Shostakovich also wrote a string octet which utilizes his typical atonal techniques difficult for musicians.
Saxophonist David Murray leads a famous experimental jazz octet, the David Murray Octet.
[edit] Vocal Octet
A "Vocal Octet" is simply a choir of many that sing eight separate parts, for example, an SSAATTBB (1st & 2nd Soprano, 1st & 2nd Alto, 1st & 2nd Tenor, Baritone, and Bass) Choir. A "Vocal Octet" can also be defined as a vocal performance group consisting of eight members.
