Gryphon Baryton Trio: Haydn

Experience the beautiful and striking repertoire for baryton for the very first time with The Gryphon Baryton Trio. A rare and magnificent relic from the Classical era, the baryton features a body similar to that of a viola da gamba but with an additional course of 11 metal strings. Producing stunning melodies within a rich, resonant cloud of sound, the baryton was much beloved by Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, who employed Haydn to compose over 130 works for it.

The majority of Haydn’s baryton works consist of elegant and charming Divertimenti for baryton, viola, and cello, commonly referred to as ‘Baryton Trios’. Full of invention and colour, the baryton plays a critical role in these delightful pieces, creating beautiful sonority when combined with the lower instruments.

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Gryphon Baryton Trio: Haydn

This concert is the fourth of six programs presented as part of the Lyrebird Chamber Concert Series on period instruments, supported by the Louise Hanson-Dyer Bequest Fund. For the first time in recent memory, Melbourne audiences will be able to hear chamber works by Joseph Haydn with baryton live, performed with their intended instrumentation.

The magnificent baryton was an instrument much favoured by Haydn’s employer, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, and Haydn composed over 130 works for it. The majority of this output takes the form of Divertimenti for baryton, viola and cello, the so-called ‘Baryton Trios’ in which the baryton plays a critical role. These delightful works are full of invention and colour, with the unique combination of low instruments creating unique and beautiful sonority.

These trios have hitherto not been performable in the Antipodes in their original form, but the commission of a new baryton for 2023 enables the Gryphon Baryton Trio to share this very special music.

More info and bookings