Chamber music is a type of classical music written for small groups of musicians. These groups, called ensembles, may vary in size from two to nine performers. Most ensembles consist of three to five musicians who play string or wind instruments. One musician plays each part.
Chamber music is generally classified according to the number of performers in the ensemble. Music performed by two musicians is called a duet or duo. Other forms of chamber music include trios, quartets, and quintets. Chamber music may be further classified by the type of instruments played. For example, a string quartet is performed by two violins, a viola, and a cello. A brass quintet calls for two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone, and a tuba.
Since about 1750, most great composers have written chamber music. Some of the best works are string quartets written by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Béla Bartók, and Dimitri Shostakovich.
The term chamber music was first used during the 1500’s, when small groups performed in private homes. Until about 1900, musicians played chamber music chiefly for their own enjoyment and for small gatherings of music lovers. Today, many ensembles perform in concert halls before large audiences.
See also Classical music (Chamber music).
