Christopher Lantz

Christopher Paul Lantz

Obituary Used on social media

Christopher Paul Lantz, an esteemed artist, author, composer, and musician, was born on May 3, 1936, and passed away on February 18, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to artists Juanita and Paul V. Lantz. Predeceased by his wives, Fiene Lantz and Mary Lantz, Christopher is survived by his two daughters, Greta Lantz-Snow and Marijke Lantz, as well as Michael Lantz, along with four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his second wife, Yvonne Solis.

The Lantz Museum in Santa Fe will continue the family’s heritage, and donations are directed to this non-profit organization. Christopher had three books published in the last year.

Throughout his life, Christopher endured Crohn’s disease and post-polio syndrome, demonstrating remarkable resilience by recovering three times while in hospice care over the last 30 years. His time at Bard College fostered many significant friendships, including a notable bond with Earl Jackel and his family starting in 1955. During his PhD program at Stanford University, he formed valuable connections with individuals such as Donald B. Anthony and his family.

Christopher Lantz’s diverse experiences culminated in the creation of the “House of Symphonies,” situated on a mesa outside Santa Fe. This location became a gathering place for important people in his life, sharing and creating symphonies with crystal bowls. Christopher wrote his first concert at age 12 and dedicated 60 years to writing and painting, embodying the spirit of a Renaissance man in the off-the-grid house he built. Despite living with physical pain, he found fulfillment in his life and often reflected that it was good, albeit challenging.

In 1936, Christopher Lantz was born in Santa Fe’s La Fonda Hotel where his parents were both artists in residence.  As a child, he grew up in such varied environs as Santa Fe, Guadalajara Mexico, and the streets of New York City and undergraduate school at Bard College, New York. During his unusual childhood, he came in contact with many artists, including the poet Witter Bynner, Frida Kohlo, and even made a habit of stopping in for coffee in Jackson Pollock’s studio.  

As a young man, Christopher was more interested in music.  He composed his first symphony at the age of 16, which was later preformed for Igor Stravinsky when Christopher was 19 and studying under Milton Babbitt. By the time he was 23, he had conducted his own symphonies with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra . 

He currently holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a PhD in Acoustical Physics from Stanford University. He has composed and conducted both his own and others’ contemporary and classical music in the U.S. and Europe.

Christopher Lantz Artist
Lantz Art Museum

1970's Musical Art Scores

During the 1970’s, Chrustopher Lantz began incorporating color and abstract painting into his musical scores in an attempt to solve the two dimensional limitations of traditional music. By the 1980’s, he had expanded his ‘art scores’ technique to the degree that traditional notation was no longer incorporated.
Lantz Museum

The Wilderness Of North

Red Eyed Dancing Dog, is a music score in the shape of our dog, jumping in the air.

Lantz Museum

The House of Symphonies

In the autumn of 1985 in the wilderness of north central New Mexico, Christopher walked the land and began to design and personally construction a structure. The construction began with a series of connecting acoustic anacronic chambers (rooms responsive to sound vibration). When the structure was complete the building encompassed four thousand square feet with no right angles.
Lantz Art Museum

1970's Musical Art Scores

During the 1970’s, Chrustopher Lantz began incorporating color and abstract painting into his musical scores in an attempt to solve the two dimensional limitations of traditional music. By the 1980’s, he had expanded his ‘art scores’ technique to the degree that traditional notation was no longer incorporated.
Lantz Museum

The Wilderness Of North

In the autumn of 1985 in the wilderness of north central New Mexico, Christopher walked the land and began to design and personally construction a structure. The construction began with a series of connecting acoustic anacronic chambers (rooms responsive to sound vibration). When the structure was complete the building encompassed four thousand square feet with no right angles.
Lantz Museum

The House of Symphonies

In the autumn of 1985 in the wilderness of north central New Mexico, Christopher walked the land and began to design and personally construction a structure. The construction began with a series of connecting acoustic anacronic chambers (rooms responsive to sound vibration). When the structure was complete the building encompassed four thousand square feet with no right angles.

Christopher Lantz's Abstract Paintings

Christopher Lantz’s abstract paintings represent his feelings about the world around him, news events, and family relationships. Each piece in this collection is worked on over time, with emotions and colors readdressed to evoke the intended feeling from the painting.

The Power of Colors

Colors can have a significant impact on our emotions and mood. Here’s a quick overview of how different colors are commonly associated with various emotions:

•  Red: Linked to passion, energy, and excitement. It can also evoke feelings of danger or urgency.

•  Blue: Known for its calming and serene effects. It can also represent sadness or tranquility.

•  Green: Associated with nature, growth, and harmony. It can promote a sense of balance and calm.

•  Yellow: Represents happiness, positivity, and energy. It can also stimulate mental activity and creativity.

•  Purple: Linked to spirituality, luxury, and creativity. It can evoke feelings of calm and introspection.

•  Orange: Known for its warmth, enthusiasm, and friendliness. It can also stimulate appetite and social interaction.

•  Pink: Associated with love, compassion, and playfulness. It can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort.

•  Black: Represents sophistication, elegance, and mystery. It can also evoke feelings of power and control.

•  White: Known for its purity, simplicity, and cleanliness. It can promote a sense of peace and clarity.

Music to one's eyes: Artist Christopher Lantz | Gallery Openings | santafenewmexican.com

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