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In something modern if the piece is very complex or has lots of moments where entrances are needed then you can have a conductor even if it's 5 or 6 instruments, sometimes less.
The same piece with different musicians may not need a conductor though, sometimes. So it really depends, when writing something for chamber ensemble, considering a conductor is not a bad idea if there's a high probability that a lot of rehearsal time is going to go out the window in getting the instruments to actually play together properly. A conductor helps streamline this greatly.
In some cases like the above a conductor can be more of an organizational need than someone who gives any sort of interpretation. Specially if he's directing solo musicians~
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