Day 116: Tiptoeing Through the Barytons

HaydnCD116If you’ve been following my previous posts, you know that these baryton trios are a bit of a slog for me.

It’s not that they’re poorly played (on the contrary, these musicians are brilliant). It’s not that they’re badly written (Haydn was, after all, Haydn).

It’s that they’re all the same, more or less. Over one hundred compositions for the baryton (an old instrument somewhat like a cello), many of which are in the key of A because Prince Esterhazy wasn’t an accomplished player and so Haydn had to “dumb down” his compositions for the Prince.

I did notice something interesting in one of the trios today. I also notice a pizzicato passage because it always strikes me as humorous. Like cartoon characters tip toeing, sneaking up on someone. This plucking style appeared in Movement II (“Menuet”) of Baryton Trio No. 34 in D and caught my attention immediately. This Movement II is rather pleasant. I could listen to this one repeatedly.

In addition, the third and final movement (“Finale: Presto”) is peppier than usual as well.

Dare I say this baryton trio is a FAVORITE?

The next one (Baryton Trio No. 35 in A) is also different from his homogenous brethren, too. Movement I (“Adagio”) featured a bit of pizzicato. Movement II (“Allegro”) is truly zippy. Lively. Fun to listen to. Another FAVORITE!

EsterhazyEnsembleHere are the members of the Esterhazy Ensemble playing today’s Baryton Trios:

Michael Brussing baryton
Andras Bolyki viola
Maria Andrasfalvy-Brussing cello

Here’s what I listened to this morning. NOTE: Only three (No. 34, No. 35, and No. 38) have a known date of composition, and that’s likely a guess. From my research, Haydn was probably in his early thirties when he composed these baryton trios.


Haydn Baryton Trio No. 32 in G

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 33 in A

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 34 in D (Composed before 1773)

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 35 in A (Composed 1776)

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 36 in D

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 37 in G

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 38 in A (Composed before 1773)

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