Pirastro Newsletter

Pirastro is a founding member of International MUSIKMESSE ( Frankfurt , 1947); this is Europe’s most important music fair and it took place at the end of March in Frankfurt , Germany. Pirastro exhibits annually at the International MUSIKMESSE. This year we introduced evah pirazzi for Viola and Cello – a steel string set!

Product News – evah pirazzi for viola

The new evah pirazzi viola D, G and C strings’ core consists of a new multi-filament synthetic core material that has been co-developed by Pirastro. This core is produced exclusively for Pirastro; this same core is used for evah pirazzi, Obligato and Violino violin strings. The evah pirazzi viola A-string is a steel string wound with chrome steel, which we introduced in 2003 at the “Viola-Kongress in Kronberg, Germany”.

After conducting numerous tests in our research and development laboratory (supported strongly by professional musicians) we are convinced that this well balanced viola set meets the needs of the modern violist. It also allows new technical possibilities and scope for new tonal presentation.

The strings sound brilliant and have a great deal of overtones based on a warm and powerful tonal fundament; the response is outstanding. The gauge of the individual strings of the well balanced set gives the musician a subtle and sensitive left hand feeling.

evah pirazzi viola sets are available in soft (weich), medium (mittel), and strong (stark) gauges; maximum projection and brilliance will be achieved by using the strong (stark) gauge. The soft (weich) gauge has a reduced tension and a high degree of modulation making it most suitable for chamber music. In comparison with Obligato, the new evah pirazzi strings sound more brilliant and powerful and have a higher tension.

Many musicians ask us for advice concerning the choice of strings; however, it is not easy to give across-the-board advice. Components of individual differences which include the instrument, the bow, understanding of sound, personal taste, as well as the method and technique of playing all need to be matched. Because of these substantial differences, we can only provide general guidelines. However, we are always at your service to help find the most suitable string or to exchange information concerning string-related matters individually.

It is our aim to develop two string lines of equal high quality but with different sound pictures; this is why we developed the Oliv gut string line in addition to the Eudoxa gut string line. Oliv strings meet the highest needs (such as soloists) whereas Eudoxa strings are mainly used by orchestral players, for chamber music and studio takes. We are using the same approach today for evah pirazzi and Obligato strings.

String sets with a more brilliant sound picture may be used on instruments with a rather dark sound character if such a harmonizing effect is desired; on the other hand, a string set with a rather warm sound character could be a good choice for instruments with bright sound picture.

In addition, string tension plays an important role; not all instruments cope with higher string tension, as the instrument might not be able to freely produce its tone.

As a result, some musicians prefer Obligato strings for violas with a brighter sound and which sound best with medium tension strings; on the other hand, some musicians will prefer the evah pirazzi string set for the soloistic play or if they think the core sound of their instrument is rather dark. The tension of evah pirazzi viola strings is higher than Obligato viola strings.

We advise to use our Oliv/Evah pirazzi rosin for Evah pirazzi strings because they need rosin with an increased adhesive force; for our viola Obligato strings we advice to use our Obligato/Violino rosin.

PIRASTRO evah pirazzi color code at the tailpiece: light green with black spiral
PIRASTRO color code at the peg end: A - black, D - red, G - brown, C - violet.

Product News – evah pirazzi for Cello

After introducing the evah pirazzi cello A-string in 2003, we have presented the complete cello evah pirazzi string set at this year’s Musikmesse in Frankfurt am Main at the beginning of April.

A new design and materials makes these steel, cello strings sound brilliant with a warm core tone and rich overtones. Whereas evah pirazzi strings for violin and viola have a new exclusive synthetic core material, evah pirazzi strings for cello have a steel core. Steel is still the most desired core material for cello strings. As a result, evah pirazzi strings for cello, viola, and violin are the most modern strings for that family of instruments.

The new construction and specific string tensions create a whole new range of expressions; the strings’ warm core tone can be combined with a powerful and brilliant sound. The complete set offers an impressive harmony; the smooth transition from the D to G string is unmatched. The G string deepens the radiant sound picture of the D string and the set is rounded off with the powerful and clear sounding C string. The ease of response on the entire scale from pianissimo to fortissimo means it is a great pleasure to play on these strings.

The different construction of the individual gauges soft, medium and strong result in distinctive sound pictures. The warmest sound is created by the soft gauge while the most powerful and brilliant sound is created by the strong gauge.

We recommend Pirastro’s “Cello” or “Cellisto” rosin; “Cellisto” rosin is slightly softer and has a higher adhesiveness.

At the tailpiece, the evah pirazzi color code is light green with black spiral; at the peg end, the color code is: A - black, D - red, G - brown, C - violet.

The English magazine “Muso” describes the evah pirazzi cello set as follows:

“At last, Pirastro has brought out its complete set of evah pirazzi cello strings. Having tested the A and D last year I can confirm that they have longevity as well as brilliant quality. The new G string is fabulously sonorous. There is a very smooth transition across from the D string, an immediate response and a deep, rich, sound. Pirastro has widened the volume control especially with the addition of the new C string. Don’t be alarmed if the sound seems to jump out rather metallic way at first - the C string does settle down and gives a fantastic bass tone providing resonance to the whole instrument. It has good definition and expresses the full range of colours.   If you think you need a new cello, try a new set of evah pirazzi first - it could save you thousands of pounds. The difference is amazing. Check out the company’s new viola range too which came out a few months ago.”

Jennifer Langridge, Muso, Issue 2- Summer, 2004

New product - new E string for violin
No. 1 - The First Universal E-String

Introduction: November 2002

The latest Pirastro E string for violin the “No. 1 - The First Universal E-String” is a steel string wound with a tiny chrome steel wire, so thin that one cannot see that this string is a wound E string; the diameter of this string is almost as thin as a plain E string.

The aim of this string design is to provide the violinist with an E string that can be combined with any other string set, but it is most important that this E string also eliminates open E string whistling. The easy response and the noble sound of the No.1 E violin string is remarkable. Moreover, it is important to know that the No.1 is well suitable for musicians suffering from hand perspiration as it is wound with chrome steel instead of aluminium; many musicians and luthiers already attest to this fact.

For example, here is the feedback we received from the luthier Robert Cauer in Los Angeles , CA :

“I received your new strings and gave them a thorough trial on several instruments. It was a nice surprise to discover how easily the "No 1" E - string responds. Open 'e' strings are prone to whistling. This is most apparent if one plays an ascending scale slurred from the 'A' to the open 'e' string.   It stunned me to realize that all of my six “problem violins” stopped whistling with the "No1" e string, no matter how much I tried creating the annoying sound. I cannot tell you in words how elated I am.    I had lost many hours trying to help violinists with this problem. Using a thinner 'e' string for better response is usually inadequate. Changes on soundpost and bridge did not help much either. I had many talks with colleagues about this problem. Everyone was familiar with the situation, but none could offer a solution. The world of violinists and luthiers is greatly indebted to you.”

Sincerely, Robert Cauer

PIRASTRO No.1 E string color code at the tailpiece: white with black spiral
PIRASTRO color code at peg end: E - green.

Miscellaneous

We invite you to provide feedback through our online questionnaire; visit www.pirastro.com and click on “Questionnaire” under the main menu. We encourage you to continue emailing feedback so that we can provide individual advice and include your suggestions in new product developments.

We would like to use the opportunity to thank all test musicians of the “Musikhochschule Stuttgart” for their most valuable input during the development of the evah pirazzi set for viola. We are also most thankful to Prof. Julius Berger and Prof. Lynn Harrell for their support during the development of our evah pirazzi cello strings!

When playing on Pirastro strings, we hope you feel:

“I’m so happy I can’t stop playing!”

All the best from your Pirastro Team!

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