quintet

Quintet refers to a group of five people or things. The term is used across disciplines to denote five components, and it derives from the Latin quintus, meaning fifth. In everyday language a quintet is any assembly of five individuals, such as a five‑member musical group or a set of five related items.

In music, a quintet is a composition for five performers or a group of five musicians. Common forms include the string quintet, typically two violins, two violas, and a cello; the piano quintet, which pairs a piano with a string quartet; and wind quintets, usually comprising flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn. There are also numerous mixed and regional configurations. Repertoire for quintets spans from the Classical era to contemporary music, and these ensembles are a hallmark of chamber music performance in intimate concert settings.

Quintet is also the title of a 1979 American science fiction drama directed by Robert Altman. The film is set in a post‑apocalyptic ice age and follows survivors navigating a harsh world and ritualized games. It is noted for its distinctive production choices but was widely met with mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office, making it one of Altman’s more controversial projects.

Beyond these uses, quintet remains a general descriptor for any five‑member group in music, performance, or other organized sets.