Haydn's Odder Instruments

Series considering different aspects of Haydn's life, work and reputation.

Broadcaster, pianist and composer David Owen Norris explores the composer's approach to working with some unusual instruments, asking what this little-known aspect of Haydn's music says about his working methods.

Some of these pieces are considered to be of the highest quality. The 126 trios that Haydn wrote for viola, cello and baryton are just one aspect of his work with unusual instruments. He also wrote for the mechanical organ (the nearest the 18th-century came to a record player), and a hybrid of the hurdy-gurdy and chamber organ called the lira organizzata.