The baryton is a unique string instrument that provides both bowed melody and plucked accompaniment simultaneously. It emerged in the Baroque era as a solo, self-accompanying viol and was later adopted as a virtuoso melodic instrument to enhance the dramatic arias of the day. A History of the Baryton and Its Music: King of Instruments, Instrument of Kings is the only reference available on this intriguing instrument. This presents a detailed history of the baryton, guidance on playing technique, information on its design and manufacture, descriptions and photos of extant instruments, and a repertoire of hitherto unpublished music.

Carol A. Gartrell details the origins and development of the baryton through the instruments that have survived, and through a unique collection of music representing different styles and genres. In addition to a bibliography and an index, the book concludes with two galleries containing an extensive inventory: the first provides detailed descriptions of all extant instruments and more than 20 photographs, while the second gallery catalogs extant manuscripts and supplies a representative selection of complete transcriptions, illustrating the range and variety of baryton music and providing musicians with previously unpublished music they could perform. Complete with a selected discography of baryton recordings, A History of the Baryton and Its Music is an interesting and necessary resource for the musicologist, organologist, and performer.