DecoratedStrads1

The musicians of the Quiroga Quartet perform the second movement of Brahms's Second String Quartet on a unique set of decorated Stradivarius instruments belonging to the Madrid Royal Palace.

The musicians were named the Palace's first artists in residence in 2013, allowing them access to the Strads – the only decorated instruments the maker is known to have made as a set, including his only known decorated cello.

The musicians play the instruments in six concerts per year at the Palace – three public concerts and three private concerts for guests of the monarchy, government and diplomats. Due to stringent regulations the instruments cannot leave the Palace.

See pictures of the instruments in The Strad's decorated Stradivarius gallery.

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