While in the service of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, Haydn composed almost 200 works for his patron to play on the baryton. This instrument resembles the viola da gamba but includes an extra set of sympathetic strings that can be plucked by hand. We place the oft-overlooked baryton at the center of a program that includes duos and trios by Haydn, his Esterházy colleague Andreas Lidl, and the “Swedish Mozart” Joseph Martin Kraus.
Featuring Karen Dekker, violin and viola; Eve Miller, cello; Heather Miller Lardin, baryton; and Steven Zohn, flute