Portrait
Philippe Briand is a French luthier based in Canterbury, Kent. He works both as a maker and, principally, as a restorer, and is very well known for his varnish.
He trained at the Newark School of Violin Making from 2001 to 2005 under Patrick Jowett, Kerry Boylan, Robert Cain, Paul Harrild and Paul Gossling. He went on to become senior restorer at Bridgewood and Neitzert in London, and has worked freelance for J&A Beare since 2015. He makes violins, violas, cellos and double basses.
His instruments are played by orchestral and chamber musicians across the United Kingdom, and his restoration work passes through some of London's most significant workshops.
The violin we had from Philippe was very even and a delight to play. The bow travels seamlessly from one string to the next and the sound stays smooth right through, with good projection that carries in larger spaces. It suits orchestral or chamber playing particularly well. His restoration background is not incidental to that: a maker who spends most of his time inside other people's instruments tends to build with a very clear idea of what actually works.
Elsewhere
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Where are Philippe Briand instruments made?
In Canterbury, the United Kingdom.
