The Valencia Baryton Project was formed by colleagues from the opera of the Palau de les Arts (Valencia) and the Orchestre Nationale de Montpellier with the vision of performing the nearly 160 works written by Franz Joseph Haydn for the baryton as well as compositions by other composers, both modern and classical. At the heart of the ensemble is the traditional baryton trio – baryton, viola, and violoncello – for which Haydn wrote 123 works of outstanding beauty during his time as the court composer for the Prince Esterhazy of Austria.
With Matthew Baker, one of only a handful baryton performers in the world, the Valencia Baryton Project have delighted audiences in North, Central and South America as well as Europe with what is considered to have been the pinnacle of aristocratic instruments of the classical era. Their work has been described as ‘delightfully inventive” (The Strad) and featuring a ‘masterful interpretation’ (Radio U Chile). They have been featured in publications and programs such as Berklee Now (USA), Ritmo (Spain), Südwest Presse (Germany) Radio Nacional de España, BBC 3 (UK), WDR 3 (Germany), RTE (Ireland), and Arizona Public Radio (USA) amongst many others.
In 2021, the Valencia Baryton Project released Naxos Records’ first ever baryton CD, launching a new series for the label. Their debut release has been described as “a superb recording” (All Music, USA), “you can’t get enough of it” (Die Welt, Germany), “a discovery for curious ears” (OnlineMerker, Switzerland), and “highly recommended” (Stretto, Belgium). It also appeared in Gramophone’s top 20 Classical charts in the UK.
Individually, the members of the Valencia Baryton Project have performed in chamber ensembles such as the Quarteto Radamés Gnattali, Elan Quintet, Gogmagogs and Trio Vanguardia and with orchestras such as the RTVE Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and BBC Philharmonic amongst others. Beyond classical music, they have also worked with leading artists such as Gilberto Gil, Bob Mintzer, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Caetano Veloso.
