Quintet for clarinet and strings is a piece of chamber music by the American composer Douglas Moore.
This duality of rhythm becomes most obvious when the two components are handled by different instruments, but the combination and tension that is achieved gives this movement its impetus The second movement is considerably relaxed in mood and is introduced by a melodic figure on violin which becomes the contrapuntal background to the main theme, first given by clarinet.
The finale consists of a robust, dancing and peasant-like refrain of shifting rhythm which alternates in the fashion of a rondo with contrasting material.
The clarinet quintet was quite favourably received upon its first performance and the New York Herald Tribune praised its: "Spontaneous lyricism, expert craftmanship and utter freedom from stylistic mannerisms".
[citation needed] It is Moore's most famous and popular chamber piece and has received (as of 2006) at least two commercial recordings.