String sextet

Ensemble layout

In classical music, a string sextet is a composition written for six string instruments, or a group of six musicians who perform such a composition. Most string sextets have been written for an ensemble consisting of two violins, two violas, and two cellos.

Among the earliest works in this form are the six string sextets Op. 23 of Luigi Boccherini, written in 1776. Other notable string sextets include the Opp. 18 and 36 of Johannes Brahms, the Op. 48 of Antonín Dvořák, the Souvenir de Florence (Op. 70) of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Verklärte Nacht (Op. 4) by Arnold Schoenberg, the op. 10 of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Erwin Schulhoff's String Sextet (1924) and the String Sextet (1989) of Charles Wuorinen.

More unusual combinations for a string sextet:

• three violins, viola and two cellos: Ferdinand David (1810-1873), op. 38, Gaetano Brunetti (1744-1798), op. 1
• three violins, two violas and cello: Jan Brandts Buys (1868-1933), op. 40.

Notable string sextets

References

• The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians ed. S. Sadie (London: Macmillan, 1980)
• Naxos Music Library (www.NaxosMusicLibrary.com)

See also

• String sextet repertoire
• Sextet
• String trio
• String quartet
• String quintet
• String octet

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

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