Haydn's compositions for two flutes and cello were written in 1794 during his second journey to England. They amount to a total of eight movements, of which seven have come down to us in the composer's own hand and one in a copyist's manuscript with an autograph title. These manuscripts preserve the compositions in the form of two three-movement works and two isolated movements. The present edition is based on the corresponding volume in the complete edition of Haydn's works: Joseph Haydn Werke, edited under the auspices of the Joseph Haydn Institute in Cologne, Series IX, Trios fur Blas- und Streich-instrumente (Munich: G. Henle Verlag, 2004), with preface and critical report. - Introduction / Andreas Friesenhagen.

London, with its bustling musical scene, always provided Haydn with welcome surroundings at a time when the flute was extraordinarily popular among English amateurs. The Earl of Abingdon, an accomplished flautist, undoubtedly enjoyed playing these entertaining trios. Abingdon was a member of Haydn’s circle of acquaintances in London and a composer in his own right: a theme from one of his songs ("The Lady's Mirror") served Haydn for a set of variations in the second trio. Neither man could have foreseen the huge success that these cheerful and straightforward pieces would enjoy among music-lovers all over the world. - Publisher.