String quintet in 17th century Italy and can be seen as early as 1607 in Claudio Monteverdi's opera, "L'Orfeo". It can also be applied to the standard five-part orchestral string section: first violins, second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. String quintet A string quintet is a musical composition for five string players. As an extension to the string quartet (two violins, a viola, and a cello), a string quintet includes a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola (a so-called "viola quintet") or a second cello (a "cello quintet"), or occasionally a double bass. Notable examples of classic "viola quintets", in
Lindsay String Quartet Quintet / Oboe Quartet CD DCA 968 MOZART: Quartet K428 / String Quintet K515 CD DCA 992 MOZART: Quartet K421 / String Quintet K593 CD DCA 1018 MOZART: Clarinet Quintet/String Quintet K464 CDDCA 1042 MOZART: Quartet K465 / String Quintet K614 CD DCA 1069 RAVEL & DEBUSSY: String Quartets / STRAVINSKY: 3 Pieces CD DCA 930 SCHUBERT:String Quintet (with Douglas Cummings - cello) CD DCA 537 SCHUBERT:String Quartets Nos.8 & 13 "Rosamunde" CD DCA 593 SCHUBERT:String Quartets Nos.12 & 14 "Death and the Maiden" CD DCA 560 SCHUBERT:String Quartet No.15 CD DCA 661 TIPPETT: String Quartet No.4 / BRITTEN: String