Stradivaribooks
Jost Thoene
editor
Jost Thoene was born 1962 in Rhede (Germany) as son of music teacher and composer Karl Thoene. During his studies at the Academies in Dortmund and Muenster he also learned a lot about the violin making history and upon passing his exam he decided to become a dealer of fine stringed instruments. Later on he published several big sized books about violin making, translated in 5 languages.
After 20 years of experience as a violin dealer in Germany and Italy, in 2006 Jost Thoene founded the Violin Expo Cologne and created in the historic centre of Cologne a worldwide unique stage to present contemporary violin making. The Violin Expo Cologne found here its perfect addition in the spatial pool with "Violinphotos" Jan Roehrmann and our colleague Sean Bishop (London).
Jost Thoene's task is to manage and supply technical support for the publishing division. He is supervising the "Antonio Stradivari"- Exibition 2010 in Cologne as a guest curator. Unfortunately, this exhibition has been postponed due to financial reasons by the city of Cologne.
Jan Roehrmann
co-editor & photographer
The internationally established and independent specialist professional photographer Jan Roehrmann runs his own studio in the historical centre of Cologne, Germany.
He has gained numerous references for his high standard of digital photo documentations of fine rare stringed instruments, bows and artist portraits - his work is published in several famous stringed instrument related publications as well in classical music magazines and large sized book publications worldwide.
Jan´s expertise in lighting and his appreciation of the subject commands great approval. His photos serve, due to the richness of detail as a very important source of information for dealers, violin makers and violin making schools, as well for insurance companies as an important component for issuing of certificates. His work has introduced him to different publishing companies and various editors, to museums and private collections.
Jan is currently assigned as project photographer for two different magnificent publications about the great master Antonio Stradivari.
A comprehensive documentation of around 140 instruments in four large-sized volumes shows every instrument in several views in 1:1 size including several rare violas and as a special feature even cellos photos to fold-out.
The scientific book ‘Stradivari Varnish’ compares, next to regular daylight photographs, detailed UV light photos of the exact same views, which is a unique use of macroscopic photography with up to five times enlargement. The publishing date is autumn 2009, and the book can be ordered from Jan directly. Both high quality printed publications give a new intense view of Jan´s quality of work.
Florian Leonhard
consultant expert
Florian Leonhard is one of the leading world 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 gained more insight into the mechanics of violin dealerships first at Machold in Bremen, Germany, and then perfected his techniques as Workshop Manager at London’s 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.
Alessandra Barabaschi
text
Alessandra is an Italian art historian with a University degree in Art History, and a Master in Art Management from the Bocconi University in Milan. After many years of experience in international Public Affairs, she has founded ART-PR Europe as her own agency for PR and Marketing activities related to the art field.
Bringing together a broad professional experience in Public Affairs and a profound academic background in Arts Management and Communication, Alessandra shines when it is required to develop strategies and press releases, beside liaising with media and institutions from all over the world.
Fluent in the major European languages – to name English, French and, of course, Italian, she has the ability to understand what is needed to bring together different cultures for a common goal.
To better support her customers, she is currently studying German, too.
Regarding the publication dedicated to Antonio Stradivari’s instruments, and her role in the team she said: "This is a incredible project and I’m very proud to be part of this fantastic team! Everyone is an expert in his field, it’s amazing! I'm fully committed to entertain, surprise, and interest the readers providing them with the most accurate information available about Stradivari’s enchanting masterpieces. This book will be a must-have for collectors, experts, and enthusiasts of the subject."