Viola made by Philippe Girardin, Neuchatel, c2022, Gofriller Model

Born into an artistic family—his mother a pianist and his father a sculptor—Philippe Girardin began playing piano and violin at the age of six, spent his free time in museums, and graduated from high school in 1976. He then began studying sociology at university and earned his diploma from the violin-making school in Cremona in 1981. He has played in an orchestra for 25 years. With his partners A.-D. Cardinet, S. Rusticoni, and A. Corrchano, he runs two workshops in Milan and Neuchâtel. For more than 17 years, he has dedicated himself to in-depth research in the field of violin sound, is interested in instrument photography, and is passionately involved with the varnishing of Italian instruments from the 16th to 18th centuries (see the ” Vernis ” section on his website). Philippe Girardin is married and has four children. A member of the VSA (USA) and SVGB (CH), he has received the following awards: 1983 Prize Winner (Cello), Louis Spohr Competition, Kassel (Germany) 2008 Silver Medal (Violin), VSA Competition (USA) 2008 Certificate for Sound (Violia), VSA Competition (USA) 2010 Gold medal (violin as a copy of an old one) at the competition in Pisogne (Italy) 2010 1st Prize for Sound (Violin) at the competition in Pisogne (Italy) 2010 Special Jury Prize for Sound and Lacquer (violin, copy of the author), Pisogne Competition (Italy)