Karr-Koussevitzky

The "Karr-Kousevitzky bass" or "Amati bass" is a famous double bass previously belonging to Serge Koussevitzky and Gary Karr. Now generally referred to as the "Karr-Koussevitzky" rather than the "Amati"; until recently, the bass had been attributed to the Amati brothers, but now it is generally believed to have its origins in France. [cite journal | author=Grissino-Mayer, Henri D.; Deweese, Georgina G.; Williams, Justin A. | title=Tree Ring Dating of the Karr-Koussevitzky Double Bass: A Case in Dendromusicology] | url=http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/downloads/karr%20bass.pdf | journal=Tree-Ring Research | volume=61 | issue=2 | year=2005 | pages=77–86 | publisher=Tree-Ring Society | accessdate=2008-04-29] It is renowned for its tonal quality in solo music but is considered to be difficult to play. [cite web | author=Jason Heath | title=Tackling the "Amati" bass - Part II | url=http://nuevobasso.wordpress.com/2006/09/22/tackling-the-amati-bass-part-ii | work=Nuevobasso | date=22 September 2006 | accessdate=2008-04-29]

Provenance

The bass has been officially possessed by Koussevitzky, his widow, Karr, and the International Society of Bassists. [cite web | title=Double bass by Antonio & Girolamo Amati, 1611 | url=http://www.cozio.com/Instrument.aspx?id=2955 | publisher=Cozio.com | date=2008 | accessdate=2008-04-29] After Koussevitzky died in 1951, the bass remained in the care of his wife, Olga, until 1962. Olga presented the instrument to Karr after attending one of his recitals. She said that she saw the ghost of her husband embrace him on stage, and took this as a sign to pass the bass on. [cite web | author=Steven Reiley | title=Karr-Koussevitzky Bass | url=http://www.isbworldoffice.com/about_us/karr_kouss_bass.html | publisher=International Society of Bassists | date=04 September 2007 | accessdate=2008-04-29] Karr continued playing the instrument, and it became his main bass for over 40 years until he donated the instrument to the International Society of Bassists, an organization he founded. [cite web | author= | title=Parting Gift | url=http://www.stringsmagazine.com/article/129/129,3206,News&Notes-1.asp | work=Strings Magazine| date= | accessdate=2008-04-29] It is currently lent out to bass professionals on special occasions for concerts. [cite web | author=Jason Heath | title=Some shots of the Karr-Koussevitzky bass | url=http://doublebassblog.org/2006/05/some-shots-of-the-karr-koussevitzky-bass.html | work=Doublebassblog | date=May 2005 | accessdate=2008-04-29]

Origins

The origins of the bass have long been subject to speculation. Although nothing is known of the instrument before 1901, Koussevitzky reported having acquired it from a French dealer. [cite web | author=Jason Heath | title=Tackling the "Amati" bass - Part I | url=http://nuevobasso.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/tackling-the-amati-bass-part-i | work=Nuevobasso | date=8 September 2006 | accessdate=2008-04-29] The bass was originally thought to have been made in 1611 by Antonio and Girolamo Amati; however, recent studies suggest a French origin and a fabrication date closer to 1800. [cite news | author=Stephanie Kelly | title=Famous Double Bass to Be Played in Albion Concert | url=http://www.albion.edu/ac_news/releases2006-07/music_fedewarecital.asp | date=13 Nov 2006 | work=College News | publisher=Albion College | accessdate=2008-04-29] The studies consider style of construction and feature proportions to identify a region and date; growth ring analysis further confirmed the more recent date.

References