Joyful Haydn
Gryphon Baryton Trio
Laura Vaughan baryton
Katie Yap viola
Josephine Vains cello
Joyful Haydn
Joyful string music by Haydn, featuring the rare baryton.
This concert is a rare chance to hear some of the fascinating chamber works by Joseph Haydn for baryton, performed as he intended. The magnificent baryton, an instrument similar to a bass viol or cello, but with an extra set of metal sympathetic strings, was much favoured by Haydn’s employer, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy. The commission of a new baryton in 2023, the only instrument of its kind in Australia, enables the Gryphon Baryton Trio to share this very special music with Australian audiences. These delightful works are full of invention, colour and Haydn’s trademark humour and wit, with the unique combination of low instruments creating beautiful sonorities.
PROGRAM
All works by Joseph HAYDN (1732–1809)
Divertimento in D major, Hob. XI:113
Divertimento in A minor, Hob. XI:87
Divertimento in G major, Hob. XI:67
Baryton Trio in D major, Hob XI:97
Total Concert Length: Approx 60 minutes, including 52 minutes of music (no interval)
About the artists
The Gryphon Baryton Trio brings together three exceptional players who love exploring the corners of musical history. The baryton is a beautiful instrument a little like a cello, with six bowed strings plus ten wire strings which resonate sympathetically, and are also plucked like a harp. The delightful baryton was most popular during the time of composer Joseph Haydn, who left us with a very large body of music for it, now rarely heard.
Laura Vaughan is a dynamic member of the early music movement in Australia, playing viola da gamba, violone, lirone and baryton with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Orchestra of the Antipodes, Genesis Baroque, Van Diemen’s Band, Adelaide Baroque, Latitude 37 and many others. Passionate about the unique sound world of the viol, Laura is committed to bringing this exquisite repertoire to audiences around the world.
Playing both modern and historical violas, Katie Yap appears regularly with Australia’s finest ensembles including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Van Diemen's Band, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and has performed with the Academy of Ancient Music. Her greatest love is chamber music and Katie is fascinated by music’s ability to tell stories and bring people together. Katie is a Musica Viva Australia FutureMaker and was the 2022 Freedman Fellow. Her artistic practice explores folk, baroque, and new music styles, and her life-long fascination with improvisation.
Josephine Vains is a versatile and engaging performer, heard regularly in concert around Australia and overseas as a cellist and chamber musician. She has worked with a myriad of artists on diverse projects, and is a passionate educator. Josephine performs with Firebird Trio, Accademia Arcadia, Genesis Baroque, Gryphon Baryton Trio, CellOZ, and Ensemble Old and New (EON), amongst many others.
We are very open to community outreach activities! We are happy to accommodate a range of things, but some ideas could be:
- Baroque and Classical Masterclass
A masterclass focusing on stylistic elements of historically informed baroque string playing, for all ages and from AMEB grade 2 and above. We aim to help instrumentalists interested in playing 17th- and 18th-century music to take the next step. - Meet the Instruments
The audience can get up close and personal with our special instruments, particularly the baryton. We demonstrate the differences between modern and early instruments; play examples from the concert; talk about the special music written by Haydn for the baryton, and engage with the audience through a Q&A session. - Open Rehearsal
An opportunity to invite the audience into the professional rehearsal space by explaining what’s going on as we give our repertoire the final polish, get used to the acoustic, and allow our instruments to settle into a new location with its own weather system – particularly important for gut strings! Audience members are welcome to ask questions as we go. - Relaxed Performances
A less formal performance environment that welcomes children or others with special needs.
1 - 15 March
9-28 June
Sufficient space for three performers to sit, with music stands.
It is worth noting that this music benefits from a space with some natural reverb.