I've got the pleasure to met with international known cellist Prof.
Stefan Popov this weekend in Salzburg. Stefan Popov and son Alexander came to Austria to promote new cello strings "Rostanvo- Strings".
At
Mozarteum University Popov demonstrated
Rostanvo- Strings in a detailed playing test in comparison with Larsen- Strings. The string- test on a cello from a present cello student from Mozarteum was very impressing. The rather small instrument with somewhat shorter scale than standard, strung with all four Larsen increased in volume only by putting on the single Rostanvo D- string. Also the typical balancing problem (a loss in sound quality) when transition between A and D was immediately heard to be no more existent. Rostanvo A- string produces a big sound, with increased overtone spectrum and clarity.
Rostanvo G and C- string leveled the present students cello up from a small to a big cello with increased overtone range and projection. What astonished me most was the very good response of the C and G- string when playing pianissimo. I don't know any other strings for cello producing a high dynamic range in this way.
All together the Rostanvo- string set made the cello actually sounding like another instrument with increased power, projection and dynamic range.
For me it seems to be the right string selection not only for concert players but for everyone at all, helping the cellist to be heard and to get a vivid voice more easily.
During the whole demonstration I wondered why I never heard from this strings before and why established string makers in Europe were not able to produce a string from equal quality in the last 20 years.
Rostanvo- strings are handmade in Europe. Rostanvo is a very young company. Professional musicians like Stefan Popov are personally involved in the design of the strings, and the company also wants to maintain personal contact to its customers.
The composition of used materials for the strings is a "trade secret". All I can say is that it's rope core and the strings are thinner but heavier than compared Larsen- string set.
Last but not least I enjoyed the meeting with Prof. Popov, he was playing the cello so fine. Rostanvo or not Rostanvo!
More information on the strings:
www.rostanvo.com
