Christophe Coin

The cellist and gambist Christophe Coin began his musical training in his home city of Caen with Jacques Ripoche, and went on to study at the Paris Conservatoire with André Navarra. At the age of 16 he received a scholarship to study in Vienna. There he came into contact with Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who became a vital influence in his work on early music. From 1978–9 he studied viola da gamba at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Jordi Savall.

Since 1978 Christophe Coin has regularly performed with well-known early music ensembles such as the Concentus Musicus Wien, Hespèrion XXI and the Academy of Ancient Music.

As a soloist he has performed with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Il Giardino Armonico, the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

His commitment to early music led in 1984 to the creation of the Ensemble Mosaïques, and in 1985 to his founding the Quatuor Mosaïques; today three other members of the Concentus Musicus Wien belong to the ensemble: Erich Höbarth, Andrea Bischof and Anita Mitterer. Since 1991 Christophe Coin has directed the Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, with which he explores European repertory from the 17th to the 19th century.

Christophe Coin is also interested in researching musical instruments and period-instrument techniques, and incorporates this research into his practical work. Since 1988 he has taught cello at the Schola Cantorum, and he also leads a class for cello and viola da gamba at the Paris Conservatoire.