What is a septet?

A septet is a musical ensemble consisting of seven performers. There's no single standard instrumentation for a septet, unlike, say, a string quartet. The instrumentation varies greatly depending on the composer's intentions and the style of music. However, some common combinations include:

• Instrumental Septets: These might feature combinations of strings, woodwinds, brass, and/or keyboard instruments. A common configuration might be a string quintet (two violins, viola, cello, double bass) plus a flute and clarinet. Other variations are endless.

• Vocal Septets: These feature seven singers, often with various voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, etc.). The specific arrangement of voices could vary based on the composition.

• Mixed Septets: These combine vocal and instrumental forces.

Famous examples of septets include:

• Beethoven's Septet: This is perhaps the most famous septet, written for clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. It's a staple of the chamber music repertoire.

The compositional possibilities for a septet are rich and varied, allowing for a wide range of textures and colors depending on the instruments or voices involved. The additional instruments compared to smaller ensembles like a quintet or sextet provide more harmonic and melodic complexity.