In 1795 and 1796, Beethoven composed two sextets in E♭ major. Do not confuse them! The first is called the Horn Sextet (for two horns and string quartet), later published as Opus 81b. The second is called the Wind Sextet (2 clarinets, 2 horns, 2 bassoons), published as Opus 71.
More potential confusion: In 1810 and 1811, Beethoven’s Horn Sextet and Piano Sonata No. 26 were both inadvertently published as Opus 81, and that is why the Piano Sonata is now known as Opus 81a (the real Opus 81) while the Horn Sextet is known as Opus 81b.
#Beethoven250 Day 51
Sextet in E♭ Major for 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola, and Cello (Opus 81b), 1795
The Horn Sextet is performed by students at Indiana University. It appears that the double bass is simply doubling the cello.