Key learning points

1. Chamber music is music in the Western Classical Tradition written for a small ensemble.
2. In the Baroque period the trio sonata was the most common form, featuring two melodic instruments with basso continuo.
3. In the Classical period the string quartet was very popular, but many other combinations of instruments were also used.
4. These included trios, duets, quintets and others.
5. Compositions for solo instrument (with or without accompaniment) have also been popular throughout the periods.

Keywords

• Chamber music - music composed for a small ensemble, such as a string quartet

• String quartet - a key ensemble in the Western Classical Tradition, consisting of two violins, a viola and a cello

• Piano trio - another common small ensemble, typically consisting of a piano, violin and cello

• Trio sonata - a common Baroque style of chamber music, with two melodic instruments and continuo

• Solo - a performance by one instrument; sometimes compositions for an instrument with a piano accompaniment are also called a solo

Common misconception