String quartet String quartet A string quartet is a musical ensemble consisting of four string players – two violin players, a viola player and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group. The string quartet is one of the most prominent chamber ensembles in classical music, with most major composers, from the mid 18th century onwards, writing string quartets. The string quartet was developed into its current form by the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, with his works in the 1750s establishing the genre. Ever since Haydn's day the string quartet has been considered a prestigious form
String Quartet No. 3 (Babbitt) A time-point set analogous to the pitch-class set is projected in association with eight dynamic levels (from ppp to fff), each of which articulates a particular layer of the time-point structure throughout the composition (; ). String Quartet No. 3 (Babbitt) String Quartet No. 3 is the third of six chamber-music works in the string quartet medium by the American composer Milton Babbitt. Babbitt’s Third Quartet was written in 1969–70 on commission by Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Freeman for the Fine Arts Quartet, to whom it is dedicated . The world premiere performances were on May 4–5, 1970 by