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Forming a little-known but nonetheless fascinating part of Joseph Haydn’s prolific instrumental output are the more than 170 works he composed for baryton, the favorite instrument of Prince Nicolaus Esterházy “the Magnificent” (reigned 1762-1790. Nicolaus, an extravagant patron of the arts, played cello, viola da gamba, and violin, but was particularly captivated by the baryton, which Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang’s father, described as “one of the most charming of instruments. Like the gamba, it has six or seven strings. It has, however, a very wide neck, the back of which is hollow and open and into which nine or ten brass and steel strings are inserted, which may be plucked by the thumb while the principal part is played with the bow on the gut strings.” The booklet accompanying this initial CD from the newest of the SCMS’s resident ensembles contains numerous photos of this rare and unusual instrument.