Credits:

Gurzenich Orchester Koln

Description:

Joseph Haydn was for a long time the court musician of the wealthy Esterházy family. Especially during the period when he was court musician, the head of the family, Nicholas I (1714-1790), showed a deep understanding of music and encouraged Haydn's activities, to which Haydn responded by creating numerous works and performing them enthusiastically. Nicholas I favored the "baritone," which was invented in the late 17th century. The baritone is an instrument of the viol family invented in the late 17th century, usually with 6 or 7 gut strings and 9 to 24 (often 12) metal strings covered with a plate on the front, which can be plucked with the left thumb as well as being a resonant string. However, the large number of strings made it extremely difficult to tune and play, and by the 19th century it had almost fallen into disuse. Haydn is said to have had little knowledge of this instrument, but he studied it for his lord and composed 126 trios, as well as duets and concertos.The album features six baritone trios, performed by Matthew Baker on an instrument restored by Owen Morse-Brown in 2004, faithfully reproducing the liturgical sounds of the 18th century. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:69~I. Adagio
2.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:69~II. Menuet: Allegretto
3.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:69~III. Finale: Presto
4.Baryton Trio in A major, Hob.XI:9~I. Moderato
5.Baryton Trio in A major, Hob.XI:9~II. Menuett
6.Baryton Trio in A major, Hob.XI:9~III. Finale: Allegro
7.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:58~I. Moderato
8.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:58~II. Minuetto
9.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob. XI:58~III. Finale: Allegro di molto
10.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob.XI:61~I. Allegro
11.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob.XI:61~II. Andantino
12.Baryton Trio in D major, Hob.XI:61~III. Menuett
13.Baryton Trio in A minor, Hob.XI:87~I. Adagio
14.Baryton Trio in A minor, Hob.XI:87~II. Allegro molto
15.Baryton Trio in A minor, Hob.XI:87~III. Menuetto
16.Baryton Trio in G major, Hob.XI:55~I. Moderato
17.Baryton Trio in G major, Hob.XI:55~II. Menuett
18.Baryton Trio in G major, Hob.XI:55~III. Finale: Allegro di molto