Complete Baryton Trios : Esterhazy Ensemble (21CD)

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Baryton Trios 1-12, 14-17, 19-21, 24-98, 100-118, 120-126
Cassations H12 No. 19; Baryton-Duette H10 Nr. 11, H12 No. 1-6
Baryton Oktette H10 No. 1-6, 12
Baryton-Quintett H10 No. 10;
Baryton Trios No. 2, 5, 13, 18, 22, 23, 99, 119
Divertimenti fur Baryton solo in D, G, G, A, A
2 Adagios in D fur Baryton solo
Sonaten fur Baryton & Cello H12 No. 8-12, 15-17
Adagio H10 No. 7 fur Baryton, 2 Horner, Viola & GBass
Moderato H10 No. 9 fur 2 Barytons & 2 Horner

ESTERHAZY ENSEMBLE

Digital Recordings: 2006-2008

What is a Baryton, and why did Haydn write so extensively for it? Two reasonable questions, and actually quite easy to answer.

The baryton is a member of the gamba family and a relation to the modern-day cello dating from the early 17th century. It was quite a handful to play, having one manual with 6 or 7 bowed gut strings, and another with anything up to 20 further 'sympathetically resonating' metal strings lying under the finger board.

Haydn's prolific output for this instrument was the result of his patron - Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy I. The Prince was himself a skilful musician and the Baryton was his instrument of choice. With an insatiable appetite for new compositions for the instrument, the Prince commissioned 160 works from Haydn. Today 90% of these still survive, the 126 trios dating from 1762-1775 being the most important.

The remarkable fact is that many of these trios resemble the greater piano trios ? proof that Haydn lavished as much care on these 'private' works as he did on his published works. The Octets featuring the Baryton include some virtuoso writing for wind, and the horns often reach stratospheric heights - a tribute to the virtuosity of the Esterhazy players Haydn had at his disposal.

A must for all period performance and Haydn fans
The most comprehensive and only survey of Haydn's output for baryton on record, newly recorded: most works here receiving world premiere recordings
Extensive booklet notes
Recorded in Eisenstadt, where Haydn was Kapellmeister for Prince Nikolaus
'The musicians proved to be virtuosos on their instruments' Schwaebische Zeitung, Leutkirch
'The concert of the Esterhazy Ensemble was exceptional.' Fuldaer Zeitung ( Brilliant Classics )