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.

For the ballet by Ángel Corella, see String Sextet.
Ensemble layout

Notable string sextets

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.

Less usual combinations

More unusual combinations for a string sextet:

Selected list of string sextets

See also

References
  1. (list of selected sextets for) 3 violins, viola, 2 cellos imslp.org, accessed 7 October 2020
  2. (list of selected sextets for) 3 violins, 2 violas, cello imslp.org, accessed 7 October 2020
  3. (list of selected sextets for) 2 violins, 2 violas, cello, double bass imslp.org, accessed 7 October 2020
  4. (list of selected sextets for) 2 violins, viola, 2 cellos, double bass imslp.org, accessed 7 October 2020

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