TESTI PIBERNAT, James Luigi (Mòdena (Itàlia), 18.VII.1969) Double bassist & luthier
L.Mus. (licenciate in music) with Distinction in Doublebass performance from McGill University in Montréal Canada 1992.
Diploma from the "Orchestral Training Program" at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada 1993
Post graduate studies in the " Artist Diploma Program" at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada 1994 and in the Vienna Hochschule für Darstellendekunst in Wien with a Canada Council performing arts grant in 1996
Having lived in Canada for twenty years, he developed as a professional musician under the tutelage of prestigious musicians such as: Joel Quarrington ( whom he recognises as his principal mentor) Herbert Mayr, Ludwig Streicher, Duncan McTier and Brian Robinson, all of them of either Principal or co-Principal positions in international level orchestras or solo artists of international reputation.
Having installed himself in the Ampurdan region at the end of the 90s' to act as principal bassist in the Orquestra de Cambra de l'Empordà (OCE), during the years 1998-2000, he also played in other orchestras of prestiege in Catalunya as a section or principal player such as the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallés , Orquestra Julià Carbonell de les Terres de Lleida or Orquestra de Cambra de Menorca .
He has played and given concerts in other musical formations and genres such as folk and Jazz. He has worked with folk singers such as Josep Tero and Xavier Falgarona. He is now the Bassist of the Cobla "La Flama de Farners" of Santa Coloma de Farners.
As a soloist , he's had the privilege of premiering works written for him and his doublebass tuned in fifths by the young Catalan composer David Llorens, born in Sant Pere de Ribes , Catalunya in 1972. These works are: The Sardana for doublebass solo "Pirineus Orientals" , premiered by theCobla Sant Jordi Ciutat de Barcelona in Sitges and "Fantasia per a contrabaix", premiered at the Festival de música catalana in Campllong.
He is an advocate of the innovative method of tuning the bass in fifths (tuned like a cello but sounding an octave lower), instead of the traditional fourths. This permits the doublebass to perform on the same level soundwise ,tuningwise and soloistically as the other instruments of the violin family.
Pedagogically he has written and performed a musical fable for children wich was well received by both the public and other professosr. He acts as professor of doublebass in the Jove Orquestra de Figueres (JOF) and also acts in the company Atot of Girona which specialises in childrens shows.
As a historian and investigator,the Roses city hall comissioned a study on the life, music and methodology of the renowned Catalan doublebassist Josep Cervera i Bret (Peralada, 1883- Roses, 1969), still awaiting publication.
In the last years , he has done an aprenticeship in Perpignan (France) with the French master luthier Lucien André Ragot(junior). Born in Mirecourt, and first born son of the also Master luthier, and equally named, Lucien André Ragot(senior); both luthiers are named in the universal dictionary of Luthiers written by René Vannes. James opened his lutherie shop in 2006 in la Jonquera, without leaving behind his facets as a performer or teacher.
He's invented the LT guide. A simple fixture which helps the student learn more quickly the correct angle of the bow on the string which is so important to the art of bowing a stringed instrument.
Some examples of James Testi playing the Doublebass:
1. Sarabande from the first suite for cello solo by J.S. Bach
2.Prelude from the "Suite in alten stil" by Hans Fryba
3." AveEva" composition by James Testi for doublebass solo
4.Third movement from the "Fantasy for doublebass and orchestra " by David Llorens
James Testi in YOUTUBE