Bernhard Rieger on the New Thomastik-Infeld^® PETER INFELD Cello Strings (^NO.PI400)

Thomastik-Infeld recently unveiled the brand new PETER INFELD^® string set for cello!

The Violin Channel recently caught up with Bernhard Rieger, Director of String Development, and String Development Engineer for cello & Bass at Thomastik-Infeld, to gain insight on the brand-new Peter Infeld cello strings!

Tell us about the new Peter Infeld cello string set.

To create these strings, we spent several years developing and testing different prototypes. My goal was to create a specifically warm, rich basic color with open, ringing, and easily controlled overtones – all of which produce tremendous sound colors. The strings’ centered tone and powerful mid-range mean they offer a reliable haptic feel in both hands, making them exceptionally playable. At the same time, they also give the player outstanding projection. The result is a very reliable string set that delivers a beautiful tone with minimum effort. We have been delighted to hear professional cellists around the world calling the Peter Infeld cello set a "game changer" and a "new benchmark."

What are the strings made from? And why were these materials chosen? 

The A and D strings are made with a steel core, and wound using new production methods I developed after years of experimentation. During the development process, I was always in search of the richest tonal colors along with a fundamental warmth. The combination of winding materials was chosen specifically for the noble and powerful singing timbre in the top strings.

The C and G strings are based on the legendary Spiral Rope, which Thomastik-Infeld invented for our Spirocore strings decades ago. The design of the twisted steel wires is so ingenious and innovative that it is still the best option to this day. It gives the Peter Infeld strings the power and growl they need for maximum projection. Their tungsten winding makes them thinner and more responsive, but their dark, yet resonant timbre helps to provide a "meaty and substantial" left-hand feel.

Why are they named Peter Infeld? Can you tell us more about him and how he influenced the design of the line? 

All the strings in our PETER INFELD® string line share qualities with one special person: Peter Infeld, who ran our company for more than four decades. These strings are dedicated to and named after him. 

I had the good fortune to work with Peter Infeld for many years. He was a powerful character; artistically sensitive as a passionate singer himself and totally dedicated to arts of all kinds. His broad range of interests and steadfast support for the arts were, and are, a very powerful inspiration. Peter’s mission was to help artists shine in many different ways – and these strings share that mission with him. I am thrilled to be able to launch a full cello set that carries his name in homage to these values. 

What are the main tonal characteristics of this new set?

Cellists will find a very centered tonal core with plenty of overtones and warmth. This set projects remarkably well through its strong mid-frequencies: its strong, dark timbre is "spiced up" with brilliance and a bit of "edge," allowing an exceptional range of easily controllable sound colors to unfold. I would say the Peter Infeld cello strings have found a "sweet spot" between dark and bright, shining with a uniquely balanced richness.

What type of cellists and instruments are they ideally suited for?

Thanks to their easy playability, these strings are suitable not only for top-tier professionals but also for anyone looking to enrich their cello’s sound. We have tested them with all types of players across all different skill levels, and even we were surprised by the overwhelmingly positive feedback. The strings also work well on a wide range of instruments. Both old and new instruments benefit from the extra boost of color and refinement.

However, for very dark instruments I would recommend the brighter Versum Solo (also paired with Spirocore tungsten G+C), while very bright instruments would benefit from the dark color offered by the Rondos.

How do you recommend taking care of this particular string set for optimum sound and lifespan? 

Our care tips for a long lifespan are: to have the curves of the nut and bridge properly shaped, apply graphite on the nut and bridge, and gently clean the strings with a dry microfiber cloth. We also highly recommend seeing your luthier regularly for check-ups.

Click here to access the Peter Infeld cello strings dedicated page on Thomastik-Infeld's website.