Baryton Trios

Prince Nicolas Esterhazy, in whose service Haydn spent a large part of
his life, was an enthusiastic champion of an instrument that was in the
process of disappearing: the baryton, a type of viola da gamba with
sympathetic strings that were also able to be plucked. Haydn composed
many works for his employer s use during the 1770s, among which were
the 125 trios for baryton with viola and cello. The prince s instrument
and its case are shown on the cover artwork, and can be found in the
collection of the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest.