Portrait
Christophe Landon is a French-born maker, restorer and dealer based in New York. He makes both instruments and bows, and is among the most experienced hands in the trade on either side of the Atlantic.
He trained under Jean-Jacques Pages, Max Moller and Stephane Tomachot, and took a Gold Medal for viola sound in 1983 and first prize in the Maurice Vieux competition in 1986. His bench copies are made from the original instruments rather than from plans, which is a different discipline from working to a model. His "Braga" Stradivari cello was commissioned by Myung-Wha Chung, who plays the original.
His instruments are played by soloists and principals internationally, and his restoration and dealing work runs alongside the making.
The Braga bench copy we handled is a very fine example of what a copy taken from the instrument itself can achieve. Being a Forma B Piccola model it is comfortable to play and suits a player looking for a smaller cello, and the sound is refined and distinguished rather than merely large. Landon's dual career as restorer and maker shows in the finish, and instruments commissioned by the player of the original are about as good a provenance as a contemporary copy can carry.
Played by
Myung-Wha Chung
Elsewhere
Compare instruments against each other, and against an antique, in a blind test with studio audio. No labels until you have chosen.
What models does Christophe Landon work from?
Stradivari, including the "Braga" Forma B Piccola.
Who plays Christophe Landon instruments?
Myung-Wha Chung, alongside professional players internationally.
Where are Christophe Landon instruments made?
In New York, the United States. Every instrument is then set up and checked in our own London workshop before it reaches a player.
