Traditionally a
clarinet quintet is a
chamber musical ensemble made up of one
clarinet, plus the standard
string quartet of two
violins, one
viola, and one
cello. Now the term clarinet quintet can refer to five B clarinets; four B clarinets and a
bass clarinet; three B clarinets and two bass clarinets; one E clarinet, two B clarinets, and two bass clarinets; or one E clarinet, two B clarinets, one E alto clarinet, and one bass clarinet. The term is also used to refer to a piece written for one of these ensembles.