String quartet

Although theoretically a string quartet can be any combination of four string instruments or any piece written for such a group, in practice the term is almost always used to mean a group consisting of two violins, one viola and one cello, or a piece following a similar form to a symphony for that instrumental combination. The form first came to be used around the middle of the 18th century, Joseph Haydn being one of the first composers to develop it. Indeed, he is often referred to as "the father of the string quartet" (as well as being called "the father of the symphony"). Haydn played his compositions in a string quartet of which Mozart was also a member.

Aside from Haydn, composers noted for composing string quartets include Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert Bela Bartok and Dmitri Shostakovich.