String sextet

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 nine string sextets Op. 23 by Luigi Boccherini, written in 1776. Other notable string sextets include the String Sextets Op. 18 and 36 by Brahms, Dvořák's Op. 48, Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4, Erich Wolfgang Korngold Op. 10, Erwin Schulhoff's String Sextet of 1924, and Charles Wuorinen's String Sextet of 1989.

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, Eugene Goossens (1893–1962), op. 37^[1]
• three violins, two violas and cello: Jan Brandts Buys (1868–1933), op. 40^[2]
• two violins, two violas, cello, double bass: Ignaz Pleyel (1757–1831) B.271, and others^[3]
• two violins, viola, two cellos, double bass: including works by Auguste Franchomme (1808–1884) and Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński (1807–1867)^[4]

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

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