Profile
Christian Lijsen, son of violin maker Paul Lijsen, was born in Bad Tölz, southern Germany in 1971.
After completing his training with distinction in 1989 and with the experience gained from working in various workshops in Munich, Christian moved to Amsterdam to work for Andreas Post as a full time restorer. This was influential for his further professional development in restoration. On returning from Holland, Christian worked for two years in the well known workshop of Hieronymus Köstler in Stuttgart, before starting self employment in 1999 with his wife Sarah in Munich.
During this time he passed his master exam in violin making with distinction from the Bavarian government.
Particular inspiration for new making came from the completion of master courses held by J.V.Stietencron in Riva Del Garda and Ascona, Italy.
Sarah Wiest completed her training at the violin making school in Mittenwald in 1994. After four years working in Amsterdam and Stuttgart she passed her master exam in Mittenwald in 1999.
Awards
Work emphasis / philosophy
The philosophy for their work is strongly influenced by the classical violin making tradition. However, when Christian and Sarah copy classical instruments, the aim is neither a detailed true copy, nor a sound copy, but freedom is given to allow a personal and individual result in style and sound.
Every year they produce two to three instruments following classical patterns, which are well received by professional musicians.
Christian Lijsen, son of violin maker Paul Lijsen, was born in Bad Tölz, southern Germany in 1971.
After completing his training with distinction in 1989 and with the experience gained from working in various workshops in Munich, Christian moved to Amsterdam to work for Andreas Post as a full time restorer. This was influential for his further professional development in restoration. On returning from Holland, Christian worked for two years in the well known workshop of Hieronymus Köstler in Stuttgart, before starting self employment in 1999 with his wife Sarah in Munich.
During this time he passed his master exam in violin making with distinction from the Bavarian government.
Particular inspiration for new making came from the completion of master courses held by J.V.Stietencron in Riva Del Garda and Ascona, Italy.
Sarah Wiest completed her training at the violin making school in Mittenwald in 1994. After four years working in Amsterdam and Stuttgart she passed her master exam in Mittenwald in 1999.
Awards
- Gold medal and first place, overall impression for violin at the international violin making competition, Mittenwald, Germany, 1993
- Certificate of merit for violin, The Violin Society Of America, international competition, Cincnnati, Ohio, 2000
- Certificate of merit for violin, British Violin Making Association, first international violin and bow making competition, London, 2004
- Official evaluator for the HWK ( craft association) of Munich and upper Bavaria, 2003
Work emphasis / philosophy
The philosophy for their work is strongly influenced by the classical violin making tradition. However, when Christian and Sarah copy classical instruments, the aim is neither a detailed true copy, nor a sound copy, but freedom is given to allow a personal and individual result in style and sound.
Every year they produce two to three instruments following classical patterns, which are well received by professional musicians.
