Prince Nikolaus von Esterházy's growing enthusiasm for the baritone inspired Joseph Haydn, the prince's kapellmeister, to write an unprecedented 125 compositions for baritone trio. The instrument resembles a viola d'amore more than a bass viol and features extra strings behind the neck for resonance and plucking effects. The six works on this album are of great beauty and reflect Haydn's creativity – no wonder the Prince was so enthusiastic about it! Parts 1 and 2 are already available and have been very warmly received by the press. The Valencia Baritone Project is an international collective founded to perform nearly 160 works by Franz Joseph Haydn for baritone, as well as compositions by other modern and classical composers.