Spyke

A baryton, a roughly cello-sized instrument with sympathetic strings which can be plucked like a harp during play. Early 20th century A.D.

Catalog entry in Germanische Nationalmuseum

Sound sample on YouTube

Baryton on Wikipedia

Concerning the origin of the baryton, Pamplin suggests that "the instrument probably originated in England in the early 17th century when the characteristics of two instruments, the viola da gamba and the bandora, were combined into one hybrid instrument".[4] Early evidence for the existence of the baryton is found in Marin Mersenne's work Cogitata Physico-Mathematica (1644).

The baryton was "completely neglected" (Hsu) in the nineteenth century, but in the twentieth, with the rise of the authentic performance movement in classical music, new barytons were built and played.

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Interesting instrument, thanks for sharing. Apparently Haydn wrote a whopping 175 pieces for the baryton, which have all been recorded by the Esterházy Ensemble. This will keep me occupied for a while!

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That's cool! It's even in a relatable tuning. I'd love a couple of hours alone with one of these in a concrete stairwell.

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A baryton, a roughly cello-sized instrument with sympathetic strings which can be plucked like a harp during play. Early 20th century A.D. | Spyke