Favorite Chamber Combination

[kyjo]

I voted for piano quintet. This combination can produce a full-bodied, almost orchestral sound and, in many cases, can become the equivalent of a piano concerto with reduced orchestration. There's also countless great works written for this combination (see my post in the "Top 10 Quintets" thread).

[amw]

Accordion, cello, saxophone and mandolin.

I don't know of any pieces written for that particular combination, but it would certainly sound pretty cool!

[mn dave]

Those 88 keys, baby.

[PaulR]

Double bass has to be grouped with the viola?  I am so offended  

I like String Quartet the best

[kyjo]

Accordion, cello, saxophone and mandolin.

I don't know of any pieces written for that particular combination, but it would certainly sound pretty cool!

Someone should ask Karl (karlhenning), GMG's composer-in-residence, to compose a piece for that combination! A little folk music here, a little jazz there, and with some classical underpinnings....that would be awesome!

[kyjo]

Double bass has to be grouped with the viola?  I am so offended  

Isn't it always? After all, they're the two oddballs of the string family.

[PaulR]

just because the bass is from a different family, has two different standard tunings, two different bows doesn't make us oddballs 

[Brahmsian]

I'll say string quartets.  However, I really love the combination of the string trio (violin, viola and cello), and wish there were a lot more compositions written for that combination.  Seems to force the composer to give more of an equal voice to the viola and cello.

[kyjo]

just because the bass is from a different family, has two different standard tunings, two different bows doesn't make us oddballs 

Don't cry, Paul. You're a bassist, after all!

[mszczuj]

String Quartet. Don't think there is any need to clarify.

[Sammy]

I voted for piano quintet. This combination can produce a full-bodied, almost orchestral sound....

That's why I'll take it down by 2 and vote for the piano trio.

[ibanezmonster]

I voted for piano quintet. This combination can produce a full-bodied, almost orchestral sound and, in many cases, can become the equivalent of a piano concerto with reduced orchestration.

Same vote here and for the same reason.

[mn dave]

I went violin and piano.

[Todd]

String Quartet.

[springrite]

For me, piano quintet.

For my wife Vanessa, piano quartet.

For Kimi, violin and piano.

[Bogey]

Piano Trio, but wind ensembles are at the top as well in any grouping.

[Mirror Image]

It really depends. Just for the sake of this poll, I'm going to vote for Piano Quintet, but I love so many combinations with piano. One of my favorite chamber works is Schnittke's Hymns and it uses such an unusual lineup: bassoon, cello, double bass, harp, harpsichord, timpani, and tubular bells. Another favorite work by Martinu called Chamber Music No. 1 uses clarinet, violin, viola, cello, harp & piano, which is a lovely combination.

[DavidW]

I was split between string quartet and piano quintet.  I like the sound of the latter better, but the great artistic statement that the composer has to make is usually made in the string quartet, so that is where I cast my vote.

[Brahmsian]

Please, don't laugh at this question:  Are there any 'string quartets' for violin, viola, cello and double bass?

Is there such a thing, would it work? 

[Brahmsian]

Or string quartet for 2 double basses, 1 cello and viola.  That would be so deep....but weird.