Friday, June 25, 2010

Library of Congress and Smithsonian Violins

While in Washington, D.C. earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Museum of American History and view their collections of fine instruments. Although they are displayed in a less than optimum manner, I enjoyed being close up with so many fine instruments. Here are some photos that I took of some of the instruments on display:

1704 "Betts" Stradivari:




1733 Guarneri del Gesu "Kreisler" violin, which was owned and owned by the famous violinist Fritz Kreisler before being donated to the Library of Congress:



"Alexrod Quartet" consisting of two decorated Stradivari violins, a decorated Stradivari viola, and a decorated Stradivari 'cello:





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