String octet

First page of the autograph manuscript score of Mendelssohn's Octet, Op. 20

A string octet is a piece of music written for eight string instruments, or sometimes the group of eight players. It usually consists of four violins, two violas and two cellos, or four violins, two violas, a cello and a double bass.

String octets by notable composers

• Luciano Berio, Korót (eight cellos)
• Max Bruch (with bass replacing the second cello)
• Sylvano Bussotti, Poèsies à Maldoror (eight cellos)
• George Enescu's Octet in C major, Op. 7
• Cristóbal Halffter, Fandango (eight cellos)
• Gordon Jacob
  • Suite (eight violas)
  • Cello Octet (eight cellos)
• Henri Lazarof
• Tomás Marco, Miró (eight cellos)
• Felix Mendelssohn's Octet, Op. 20
• Arvo Pärt
  • Fratres (version for eight cellos)
  • L'abbe Agathon (eight cellos)
• Steve Reich, Cello Counterpoint (eight cellos)
• Kaija Saariaho, Neiges (eight cellos)
• Gunther Schuller, Hommage a Rayechka (eight cellos)
• Peter Sculthorpe, Chorale (eight cellos)
• Dmitri Shostakovich, Two Pieces for String Octet
• Giovanni Sollima, Violoncelles, vibrez!’’ (eight cellos)
• Johan Svendsen

See also

• String trio
• String quartet
• String quintet
• String sextet
• Violin octet

Musical ensembles by number Solo: 1 Solo concerto Drum Guitar Piano Duet: 2 Bicinium Piano duet Piano four hands Trio: 3 Clarinet-cello-piano Clarinet-viola-piano Clarinet-violin-piano Flute, viola and harp Jazz trio Piano six hands Piano trio Power trio Trio sonata String trio Quartet: 4 Piano String Woodwind Quintet: 5 Brass Piano String Wind Sextet: 6 Piano String Other Septet: 7 Octet: 8 String Nonet: 9 Decet: 10 Duodecet: 12

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