Baryton

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The baryton is an obsolete bowed stringed instrument, in regular use up until the end of the 18th century. Its size is comparable to that of a violoncello; it has seven or sometimes six bowed strings of gut, plus from nine to twenty-four sympathetic wire strings (most often twelve). It is rarely played today.

Franz Joseph Haydn wrote 175 baryton compositions for his patron, Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, a skilled baryton player. These works are mainly trios for viola, cello and baryton and have a dark silvery tone and a refined, restrained air.

There are several modern baryton groups playing replica instruments. Some active baryton players include Kazimierz Gruszczyński, Jeremy Brooker, and Roland Hutchinson.