Bottesini chose the double bass at age thirteen for a Milan Conservatory scholarship, primarily due to his prior knowledge of stringed instruments, not a specific attraction to the instrument.
Performer Biography
Both Thomas Martin and Timothy Cobb, the double bassists on this recording, dedicate it to their teacher Roger M. Scott, a retired principal double bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Composer Biography
Giovanni Bottesini, known as 'the Paganini of the double bass', began his musical education at age five and initially studied violin.
Composer Biography
Bottesini's friendship with Verdi led to him conducting the first performance of Aida in Cairo and being recommended for the Director post at the Parma Conservatory.
Recording & Production
The recording features two fine Italian double basses, a Landolfi and a Testore, kindly lent by John A. Schaeffer, former principal double bass of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Compositional Technique
The works for two double basses on this recording date from Bottesini's student period and often present greater technical challenges than his later compositions.
Instruments
The double bass Bottesini purchased after leaving the Conservatory was a 1716 Carlo Antonio Testore instrument, tuned one to one and a half tones higher than usual orchestral tuning.
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