WHERE IS BOTTESINI's TESTORE??

[vitoliuzzi]

Finally, dear collegues,
I have found the correct answers to my
questions, and this is due to my friend Gary Karr.
I thanks him a lot.

There's an incredible history about Testore.
This double bass is not good as one can imagine. This is also Tom Martin impression, another of my good friends.

By the way, I hope in my Blog to liosten to you the hole history.

In few words. Today the Testore of Giovanni Bottesini in probably in Osaka, Japan. I've have to check only if this is the right place.

Doctor KUMADA who has died five years ago bought it for a lot of money from a sort of foundation. Dr. Kumada was very rich. Now his daughter should have it in her house but she isn't going to share this instrument with the doublebass players world. Probably because her husband is a no professional doublebass player and he's very happy to play it in his room !!!
By the way, the relation between the two seems non to be very good. What does it mean? Nothing, imho.

One thing is sure. When doctor KUMADA lived, he did'n want that none had to play the Testore, also his son from law.

So today we should have to pressure because it's important for our Culture that the Testore must be played from the most important double bass players in all over the world.

Let me know what you think about this history.

Regards

Vito Liuzzi (simply vito)

www.vitoliuzzi.com (here you find more news about Giovanni Bottesini. Asap I will add the material I have got IN ENGLISH so everyone can know the correct history about Giovanni Bottesini and his way of playing. It's another reason to play his masters less slower than we can think. In this way we would be more philological with this and other composer of the previous age respet to Bottesini. Today also Vanhal or the authentic Concerto no. 3 D. 400 by Dragonetti are played much faster that they played at their times. Bye!!)

[Francois Blais]

Why didn't you post this in the original thread you started about the very same thing here, just two weeks ago?:
BOTTESINI's TESTORE: where it it today?

Regards,
François

[joehaven]

Before the double bass community starts pressuring the family to part with this instrument one must consider what it means to have a piece of someone you've lost, something they loved. Doctor Kumada's family will part with the instrument when they are ready.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by joehaven

Before the double bass community starts pressuring the family to part with this instrument one must consider what it means to have a piece of someone you've lost, something they loved. Doctor Kumada's family will part with the instrument when they are ready.

+1. As much as the "community" would like to have this bass available, it belongs to the Kumada family. The most I could see anyone doing is making a "soft" suggestion under only the most appropriate and cordial of circumstances.

[LeslieD]

I realize that I just may not be smart enough to let this post alone...

This post opens a huge can of worms. Is there an Italian expression that captures that English or American expression?

I realize that you are a scholar and greatly value the amazing treasures of historically important instruments, and in particular Bottesini's Testore bass. I am an archaeologist and architectural historian by training, so I can appreciate that. I've had to accept that archaeological treasures and buildings are often owned privately with limited or no access to the public. I am delighted when these historic treasures ARE open to the public, but that's often not the case. I was delighted to visit the Musikinstrumenten-Museum in Berlin and enjoyed seeing the basses on display. I am not sure if any are still played, but they are certainly well cared for.

In so many ways it's sad that fine musicians often have to settle for instruments of "lesser quality" and that wealthy people (musicians and non-musicians) can afford the world's best and historically important instruments. There may exist private or non-profit foundations that provide fine musicians with access to some of these fine instruments. (Anyone: please feel post any links to these).

Anyway, one of the "worms" that crawled out of the can is the question of whether a person or musician is even worthy of owning a particular instrument. That's such a slippery slope (excuse that American phrase), because where do you draw the line? And WHO gets to draw the line and make the rules?

I am also somewhat offended that you disclosed details about the current bass' owner that are outright disparaging. You may consider your comments about the current owner to be fact, but in this context they are hearsay. I realize that you are attempting to gain support from other bass players to be allowed access to Bottesini's bass. I am not a musicologist and I am only an amateur bassist, however, as an archaeologist and historian I would never directly or indirectly confront a private owner to gain access to his personal property.

I realize that perhaps some amount of tact is lost when writing in your second language. Personally, I cannot write or speak another language coherently so I certainly do appreciate your ability to communicate in English on this website.

I do suggest that specific attacks on third parties (i.e. non-Talk Bass members) be purged from this and any posts on this website.

[drurb]

Leslie, you win the "wisdom in posting" award for this week. Congratulations.

[AMJBASS]

+1

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by drurb

Leslie, you win the "wisdom in posting" award for this week. Congratulations.

That's quite an honor--thanks! Though I was afraid I was a bit harsh...and I really hate to make enemies.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by LeslieD

That's quite an honor--thanks! Though I was afraid I was a bit harsh...and I really hate to make enemies.

You spoke tactfully, dispassionately, and reasonably. Anyone whom that would cause to become your enemy is someone not worthy of your friendship!

[MIKMAN]

Dear friends you miss one crucial detail: Vito is not only a distinguished DB player but also a well known journalist. I strongly believe that his journalistic nature prevailed and he disclosed the owner's name. Visiting his wonderful site anyone can easily understand his passion for the instrument we cherish and his tremendous efforts to provide information, tutorials, downloads and every possible help to the DB community. Especially his writings in the marvelous Italian language are excellent, humorous, usually self deprecating and a real joy for anyone who can read them. So IMHO he neither meant any harm or insult to the owner, or tried any "blackmailing" for access to the particular instrument.
As for the discussion about ownership of a certain piece of our cultural heritage and the implications involved,well, i'd prefer another thread and a thorough discussion.
Mike

[vitoliuzzi]

Originally Posted by MIKMAN

Dear friends you miss one crucial detail: Vito is not only a distinguished DB player but also a well known journalist. I strongly believe that his journalistic nature prevailed and he disclosed the owner's name. Visiting his wonderful site anyone can easily understand his passion for the instrument we cherish and his tremendous efforts to provide information, tutorials, downloads and every possible help to the DB community. Especially his writings in the marvelous Italian language are excellent, humorous, usually self deprecating and a real joy for anyone who can read them. So IMHO he neither meant any harm or insult to the owner, or tried any "blackmailing" for access to the particular instrument.
As for the discussion about ownership of a certain piece of our cultural heritage and the implications involved,well, i'd prefer another thread and a thorough discussion.
Mike

Thank you, Mike.
It's just my idea!!

My journalism is very ironic. I don't mind at all if Kumada's family is not going to share the Testore with the doublebass international community. By the way Testore is an important bass from an historical point of view but it's absolutely not "the Stradivari od the basses". It's a normal bass that under Bottesini arms and hands worked much better than It was.

Regards.

Vito

p.s.: Francois, I forgotten where the original post about Testore was. PC is not for me !! :-)!