New book: The Archetypal Violins of Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, now available. Pre-order today.

1982

Florian began violinmaking school in Mittenwald, Germany.

1985

Florian started working for W. E. Hill & Sons, later progressing to become Workshop Manager.

1986

Florian’s very first True Copies were of a Stradivari table and scroll while he was working at Hill’s. The scroll was copied from a 1698 violin played by Ronnie Burke of the legendary Lindsay string quartet. Florian would carry his copy scroll in his pocket when he went to view auction sales, to show with enthusiasm to his fellow luthiers and enthusiasts!

1995

Florian Leonhard Fine Violins is established.

1999

The first of many del Gesù sales, on this occasion to the Concertgebouw orchestra Ex Adam 1738, for the use of Vesko Eshkenazi.

1999

Restoration carried out on Maxim Vengerov’s ‘Kreutzer’ Stradivari, Cremona 1727.

2000

FLFV moves to its current location on Frognal Lane in London’s Hampstead NW3.

2002

Final intensive restoration of Maxim Vengerov’s ‘Kreutzer’ Stradivari, Cremona 1727.

2008

Photoshoot with a youthful Florian Leonhard for a state of the art website!

2008

FLFV became long-term supporters of the Menuhin Competition, sponsoring the Junior first prize (a cash prize in addition to the loan of a fine old Italian violin).

2010

Leonidas Kavakos is united with the 1724 ‘Abergavenny’ Stradivari, in a sale conducted by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins.

2010

The FLFV team, celebrating Christmas 2010.

2011

Florian carries out a sound adjustment with cellist Adrian Brendel.

2011

Florian attends the Music China Exhibition with industry colleagues

2011

After a decade of careful research, Florian Leonhard’s The Makers of Central Italy is published, with launch parties in London and Cremona.

2011

Daniel Hope is united with the superb ‘Lipinski’ Guarneri del Gesù, Cremona 1742, in a sale conducted by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins.

2012

FLFV hosts a masterclass with celebrated pedagogue Professor Zakhar Bron as part of our ongoing masterclasses and house concerts series.

2012

FLFV hosts a masterclass with celebrated cellist Steven Isserlis in collaboration with the Mayor of London’s Fund for Young Musicians.

2012

Florian celebrates the great soloist Anne-Sophie Mutter’s birthday

2012

Florian with the late Professor Erich Gruenberg and the late Lydia Mordkovitch, who are both sorely missed.

2012

Florian carrying out impromptu repairs and service work for a client in Singapore, from the hotel desk!

2012

Long-term client Alina Ibragimova performs with her ensemble the Chiaroscuro Quartet as part of our ongoing series of house concerts.

2012

FLFV Christmas party, 2012.

2013

First True Copy of the Lipinski del Gesu is made, in a challenge with Daniel Hope documented in his film, The Secrets of the Violin, for medici.tv.

2014

Florian Leonhard appointed member of the Board of Trustees of the Philharmonia Orchestra

2014

The Telegraph describes Florian Leonhard as ‘The world’s leading expert’.

2014

The FLFV team, 2014.

2015

FLFV opened a New York showroom, bringing our trademark expertise-led approach to the USA. For the next 6 years our New York outpost conducted major sales including those of instruments by Stradivarius, Amati, Rugeri, Pressenda, Vuillaume, and many more.

2015

The FLFV team Christmas photo, 2015.

2016

Florian Leonhard Fine Violins secures sale of a rare Amati cello for the exclusive use of recent BBC Young Musician of the Year Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

2017

Maestro Leonidas Kavakos is reunited with the ‘Willemotte’ Stradivari, Cremona 1734, which he first played more than 20 years previously.

2017

The FLFV team Christmas photo, 2017.

2018

Royal College of Music in London appoints Florian Leonhard official Expert and Luthier for Stringed Instruments.

2018

Maxim Vengerov plays a True Copy by FLFV of the 1724 Abergavenny Stradivari, applauding it as “wonderful” during a masterclass at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in Geneva.

2018

FLFV Christmas photo, 2018.

2021

During the global Coronavirus pandemic we took the opportunity to open beautifully renovated shops in Seoul and San Francisco. Both are partnerships with long-serving FLFV team members built on a wealth of experience and expertise, allowing us to extend our services of class-leading restoration and sales to South Korea and the USA.

2021

Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE united with fine Matteo Goffriller cello purchased for his use by a syndicate of generous patrons, through the Florian Leonhard Fellowship.

2021

The FLFV team at Christmas, 2021.

2022

Hayoung Choi wins the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium, playing on a fine Bergonzi cello on loan through the Florian Leonhard Fellowship.