Haydn: Concertos for two lire organizzate

Joseph Haydn’s five Concertos for two lire organizzate were written in 1786-7 for King Ferdinand IV of Naples whose favourite instrument was the now obsolete lira organizzata, a fascinating hybrid resembling a hurdy gurdy, often heard in the city’s streets, crossed with a small chamber organ.

However, as here, these concertos were also performed with flutes, recorders and oboe as solo instruments instead, losing none of their charming vitality thereby.

Like so many of Haydn’s concertos they deserve revival, especially in the hands of these outstanding artists.

This boxed set includes all the surviving concertos of Haydn as well as some of the works which have been attributed to the composer.

Haydn is not primarily known for his concertos, yet beacons such as the Trumpet Concerto and the D major Cello Concerto remain justly and universally popular. Included alongside these works are five concertos for two lire organizzate (performed on two recorders/two flutes/flute and oboe), ten keyboard concertos (performed on harpsichord/organ/piano), the three violin concertos, and the ‘little’ D major Cello Concerto – among others.

This wonderfully varied set thus throws a spotlight on a less-celebrated area of Haydn’s extraordinary output.