The city of Eisenstadt was the location of the Esterházy Court where Joseph Haydn was music director for 25 years. Prince Nikolaus commissioned Haydn to write trios for the baryton, an instrument on which the Prince had become proficient. The baryton is a bowed, stringed instrument similar to the viol but with extra plucked strings that can enable the performer to accompany themselves. For Nikolaus, Haydn wrote string trios of elegance, refinement and poise that encapsulate a rich variety of moods. Seldom performed or recorded, the baryton trios attest to Haydn’s limitless powers of invention in every medium.

Volume 1 can be heard on 8574188: ‘As a glimpse into a virtually unknown corner of Haydn’s vast output… this disc fulfils a valuable function’ (BBC Music Magazine). AllMusic.com also commented that this is a ‘superb recording by the Valencia Baryton Project of Haydn’s rarely heard baryton trios’.

Also, the specialised strings magazine The Strad wrote: ‘The six trios included have been very well chosen to demonstrate Haydn’s inexhaustible creative fantasy. While Matthew Baker has pride of place as the player of Nikolaus’ instrument, Haydn…has ensured the others are by no means reduced to accompanying lackeys. The trio prove themselves a well attuned team, always alert to the music’s mercurial nature’.

Valencia Baryton Project:
- Matthew Baker (baryton)
- Estevan de Almeida Reis (viola)
- Alex Friedhoff (cello)