Florian Leonhard is one of the world's leading experts in rare and fine stringed instruments, with a globally recognised connoisseurship of violin restoration skills. His London workshop and showroom exhibits some of the finest examples of violins, violas and cellos currently available for sale on the market.
Born in 1963 to artistic and musical parents, Florian began his training in the art of violin making at the age of 19 in Mittenwald, Germany. Shortly after graduation, he joined London’s W. E. Hill & Sons, the leading violin dealership and restoration workshop of its day. Under Hill’s uncompromising methodology, Florian refined his craftsmanship and became the workshop’s Head Restorer in less than three years.
Florian perfected his techniques as Workshop Manager at London-based Withers. In 1995, having acquired over ten years of experience working with the world’s finest stringed instruments, Florian opened his own restoration workshop and dealership.
Since then, good word of mouth and the owner’s discerning eye for instruments enabled Florian Leonhard Fine Violins to grow exponentially.
Today, Florian acts as specialist consultant to major financial institutions and many of the world’s leading solo artists, including Maxim Vengerov, Julian Rachlin, Lynn Harrell and Steven Isserlis, as well as taking an active interest in the careers of the most promising and talented young musicians. His status as instrument expert brings him into regular contact with orchestras in the UK, Netherlands, Israel, the Far East and the US, including the LSO, the IPO, the Tonhalle, the Concertgebouw and the Berlin Philharmonic. A key industry figure, Florian has conducted extensive research into the violin market and its development, and is often invited to investment conferences to share his abundant knowledge and expertise. He has also made significant contributions to the violin-making literature and has written articles for Strad Magazine and the British Violin Making Association publications, among others.
Leonhard,Florian
