Flute Trio in D major Op.100/6

In
1784 Haydn delivered a set of six Trios to one of his publishers William
Forster under the title Six Divertimenti for
three violins or  flute, violin and cello.  They proved very popular as a number of other
publishers followed with their editions, in particular Traeg in Vienna in
1802-3, as Op.100.   Haydn was quite a
green composer, recycling material from earlier works in his latest
compositions and this Trio is no exception. In the case of this set he borrowed
music from his comic opera Il Mondo della
Luna, and from one of his Baryton Trios. 
The baryton was a complex bass viol with separate strings for bowing and
plucking; it was so tricky to play that it vanished in the early 19^th
century. This is a delightful three-movement work for playing among friends and
other social occasions. The three brief movements are full of delightful vigour
and melody, perfect occasional pieces for use at Esterhazy.

The
flute starts the first movement with a cheery tune, decorating it fluently and
extending it into an engaging development section. The central slow movement
presents a very stately theme with impressive pauses. The mood becomes more
dramatic and leads into the sparkling Finale.  It bounces along merrily, full of gaiety and
wit, bringing this attractive little work to a charming conclusion.