Thinking about upgrading to the Pirastro Perpetual Cello strings? Have a read of our review of all of the Perpetual varieties on the market, including the original Perpetual release, Perpetual Soloist, Perpetual Edition and Perpetual Cadenza! All the strings in the Perpetual range are most definitely top flight soloist strings. They are incredibly satisfying strings to play on, and are a solid choice for many good quality cellists.
First up, Pirastro Perpetual Original cello strings.
These strings were a breath of fresh air for the cellist when first released. They have incredible power, amazing response to the requirements of the left-hand in vibrato and general expressive play, with outstanding response to the bow.Perpetual strings are extremely powerful and yet able to provide a beautiful pianissimo, and they are well suited to a great range of music. There is a lovely sweetness when required, and they offer all the power you may need.
Pirastro Perpetual Soloist Cello strings
Based on the regular Perpetual string set but offers an even more full, rounded sound with increased power. The regular Perpetual is a very powerful string already: the Soloist version seems to offer more volume by way of increased “fullness” of sound. Perpetual Soloist offers the wonderful characteristic response, power and dynamic range of the standard Perpetual model yet with a little more overall finesse perhaps, in the character of the sound, with an extra romantic sweetness on top.
Perpetual Soloist also has a Strong A on offer which has the most magnificent sound. It gives beauty, immense power and dynamic response from pianissimo to fortissimo. One of the most outstanding cello A strings ever made!
Pirastro Perpetual Edition Cello strings
All we can say about these strings is, wow! They are amazing to play on. Perpetual Edition strings offer so much it's almost limitless. They project exceptionally well; they are wonderfully responsive; and give excellent harmonic balance across the four strings. They respond very well to all commands from the bow.
Perpetual Edition strings provide power and clarity for crashing chords; beautifully balanced and clear double stops; lovely expressive performance in the higher registers on all four strings; they sing beautifully right to the end of the fingerboard.
Perpetual Cadenza
Perpetual Cadenza G & C strings are very useful for “opening up” the sound of a more “closed”, introspective cello. They are not as bright and exceptionally harmonic, compared with Larsen Magnacore Arioso: their sound character is more in keeping with the rest of the Perpetual range, with great power and fullness of sound, while making the cello more resonant.
For a cello that really needs a great deal of “opening up” , we would recommend Magnacore Arioso, but for those who require a very big dominant sound, we would quickly recommend Perpetual Cadenza paired with any of the Perpetual A & D combinations, or indeed any other preferred A & D of any make.
Michael’s personal preferred combination for his own Jay Haide cello is Perpetual Soloist Strong A, Perpetual Edition D & G and Perpetual Edition Strong C.
Perpetual Cello A & D strings have a steel core, and are wound with chrome-steel. The G & C strings have a specially designed steel rope core for each variant, and are wound with tungsten. Pirastro have new technology and machinery designed to develop these strings for ultimate performance. Pirastro promises each variant offers a great dynamic range with minimal playing-in time
Special String features
- A Soloist Strong: With its impressive technology and design this A string offers many qualities that cellists enjoy: warm tone, strong round sound yet still focused with no metallic overtones. This A also has a thicker gauge and slightly higher bow resistance which provides enormous power and projection. It is the warmest and richest sounding A in the Pirastro program.
- C Edition Strong: This C string offers a very powerful and strong core sound along with a deep and wonderful warm tone. Its unique special construction results in an enhanced torsional stiffness and tuning stability with a very fast and direct bow response, making it the most sonorous C in the Pirastro program.
- G & C Cadenza: Utilizing the same core construction as the Perpetual Soloist, the Cadenza G & C strings were created to provide players with lower tensions to match their instruments and allow older cellos to open up and play freely.
- 4/4 Varieties: Medium (Mittel); Soloist [with optional Strong A]; Cadenza (G & C); “Edition” [with optional Strong C].
About Pirastro Strings
Pirastro has become a byword for a sound which is both beautiful and reliable. As a result, a great number of string musicians play and recommend Pirastro strings. With their tonal flexibility and expressive power, Pirastro strings have inspired musicians to create their own unique sound by taking full advantage of their instrument’s best qualities. Each individual string in the Pirastro line has been meticulously crafted to provide musicians with an unsurpassed choice in tonal colours. Musicians can choose from the complete range of gut strings to synthetic strings or steel. Pirastro rosins are also designed specifically for use with Pirastro strings and this combination is responsible, in no small part, for the excellent world-renowned Pirastro sound. Simply for Strings is an authorised stockist of Pirastro strings, and we order weekly to ensure you are receiving the freshest genuine Pirastro strings available.
About the Simply for Strings Cello Library
Simply for Strings has created a trial ‘String Library’ for cellists to visit on appointment and try different string sets and/or combinations, so that we can help with their search for the sound and response they need. Here you can try before you buy, with our guidance and assistance. In this appointment, we’ll have a discussion with you before we start fitting up to three different sets on your cello. We let you trial the strings in-store to determine which strings may suit you and your needs best. And if you need, we can play your cello for you, so you can hear it as both listener and player. It’s an obligation free appointment, all you need to do is bring your cello, and prepare to fall in love with some new strings!
Read more about our Cello String Library here and visit our blog for more cello resources.
