Many of Haydn's baryton trios are written in the same keys (A major, D major) because Prince Esterházy believed the baryton should be limited to a single key.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn believed that art is free and should not be constrained by rules, stating that 'the ear, properly formed beforehand, must decide everything'.
Instruments
Haydn himself acquired a baryton to better understand its possibilities, and both his and Prince Esterházy's instruments were made by the Stadelmann family of Austrian luthiers.
Composer Biography
Haydn composed an impressive 126 baryton trios for Prince Nicolaus Esterházy, who was a non-professional but enthusiastic player of the instrument.
Composition History
Joseph Haydn, the court composer, was asked by Prince Nicolaus Esterházy in 1765 to compose pieces specifically for the baryton, an instrument the Prince played.
Instruments
The cello used by Petr Skalka of the Rincontro Ensemble for this recording was constructed by the master luthier Achatius Stadelmann of Vienna.
Recording & Production
The instrumentation for this recording, featuring violin, viola, and cello, corresponds to a grouping mentioned by Haydn for the sale of several of his trios.
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