The Woodwind Quintet

The woodwind quintet is the premier chamber ensemble of orchestral wind instruments, essentially the woodwind’s answer to the string quartet. While the string quartet instruments have a relatively homogeneous sound, the wind quintet’s instruments vary widely in timbre and technical dexterity, helping the ensemble produce a uniquely colorful sound. The woodwind quintet as a form dates to the early 19th century, when composers Anton Reicha and Franz Danzi wrote the first major works for the medium. After a bit of a lull, it came back strong in the 20th century, and there now exists a rich treasure trove of repertoire for the group that encompasses all styles and genres, from Beethoven to the Beatles.

In its current incarnation, the Hampton Roads Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a viable way for us to keep a lifeline open to the public through online performances and the like. The quintet shares the orchestra’s philosophy, “Inspire. Enrich. Connect.” as it continues to reach out to the community.