Page 52 - The Strad (February 2020)
P. 52
MICHEL COLLICHON
THE MAGNIFICENT
TEN
Just a handful of instruments by
Michel Collichon have survived to the
present day – but they demonstrate
the skill and techniques of a master
innovator. With a tenth example
TGEGPVN[ KFGPVKƒGF Shem Mackey
explains the appeal of the 17th-century
viol maker to modern-day luthiers
T he French viol maker Michel Collichon – the famous ‘Plan de Paris’ in reference to a marquetry map of
(1641–c.1694) is an enigma. His very few
Paris on the back – has determined that it, too, was made by
Collichon, bringing the total number of known viols by the
surviving instruments are among the nest
maker to ten. is is a good opportunity to re-appraise what we
viols in the world today, and we are lucky that
a number of them are still in their original
know about this enigmatic and creative luthier, based on close
condition. His workmanship shows
intelligence, creativity and condence. His work is simple and examination of the instruments themselves.
But rst, some history. Michel Collichon came from a family
inspired in equal measure and, for anyone interested in learning of instrument makers prominent in Parisian musical society in
from extant instruments, it is hard to nd or recommend a the reign of Louis XIV. ey were known to such luminaries of
better master. e inconsistencies and points of dierence in the viol as Jean de Sainte-Colombe and Jean Rousseau; indeed
his instruments, from his wood choice to peculiarities in set-up, Rousseau made reference to them in his 1687 Traité de la Viole:
give the impression of a maker always striving to better his craft ‘When I was learning from Sainte-Colombe [I] was housed
and who was unafraid to try new ideas and make changes to his with the “bonhomme luthier” Collichon who at this time used
method – marking him out as a unique talent among the to live at Rue de la Harpe...’ Of Michel Collichon himself, little
French luthiers of his time. My recent research into another viol is known: just two surviving documents relate directly to him,
50 THE STRAD FEBRUARY 2020 www.thestrad.com
