Christophe Coin

Cellist and gambist Christophe Coin began his musical training in his home town of Caen under Jacques Ripoche, then studied at the Paris Conservatory with André Navarra. At the age of 16, he received a scholarship that enabled him to study in Vienna. There, he first met Nikolaus Harnoncourt, whose influence led him to the decision to focus on early music. From 1978, he studied viola da gamba at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Jordi Savall.

Also since 1978, Christophe Coin has regularly performed with well-known early music ensembles, including Concentus Musicus Wien, Hespèrion XXI and the Academy of Ancient Music. In addition, he has toured as soloist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Il Giardino Armonico, Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Concertgebouw. 

Following his interest in early music, in 1984 he founded Ensemble Mosaïques, which became Quatuor Mosaïques a year later. It was joined by Erich Höbarth, Andrea Bischof and Anita Mitterer, members of Concentus Musicus Wien. In 1991–2012, Christophe Coin led the Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, with which he performed European repertoire of the 17th to the 19th centuries. 

Christophe Coin is passionate about research into the making of instruments and the performing techniques concerning historic instruments, which he incorporates into his own performances and teaching work. He taught cello at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis from 1988 to 2024, and until 2025 he also taught cello and viola da gamba at the Paris Conservatory.