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Bösendorfer (L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH) is a piano manufacturer, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BAWAG PSK Gruppe, and is based in Vienna, Austria. Established by Ignaz Bösendorfer in 1828, it is the oldest piano manufacturer still producing its own instruments today and has had a history of producing some of the finest instruments in the world. In 1830 Bösendorfer was granted the status of official piano maker to the Emperor. Ignaz's son Ludwig Bösendorfer (April 15, 1835 – May 9, 1919) took over in 1859, operating from new premises from 1860. Between 1872 and its closure in 1913, the associated Bösendorfer-Saal was one of the premier concert halls of Vienna. In 1909 the company was sold to Carl Hutterstrasser, who was succeeded by his sons Alexander and Wolfgang in 1931. In 1966 Bösendorfer was taken over by the Jasper Corporation (later renamed Kimball International), parent company of Kimball Pianos, where it remained before returning to Austrian hands when it was purchased by BAWAG PSK Gruppe in 2001. The company's logo is written in the Notre Dame Roman typeface by Linotype.
Bösendorfer pioneered the extension of the typical 88-key keyboard, creating the Imperial Grand (Model 290), which has 97 keys, and later the Model 225, which has 92. One of the earliest and most important artists to be associated with Bösendorfer was Franz Liszt, who found that their pianos and those of the Bechstein company, were the only instruments capable of withstanding his tremendously powerful playing. Still today Bösendorfer is known as a piano that well withstands the rigors of concert halls and tours. Pianists who have been associated with Bösendorfer include Charlemagne Palestine in particular, Wilhelm Backhaus, Oscar Peterson, André Previn, András Schiff, and most recently the pop musician Tori Amos and the jazz artist Matt Savage.
The newest Bösendorfer model is called the CEUS Computer Grand Piano.
Trivia
There are only 2 Hans Hollein specially designed Bösendorfer Imperial Grand pianos in the world. One is located at the Westin Grand Bohemian hotel in Orlando, Florida. The other is in Shanghai, China. The Bösendorfer in Orlando was constructed out of 80% of the same wood and has brass legs worth $14,000.00 each. The value of the Hollein Bösendorfers is estimated at $250,000.00 each.
External links
Piano manufacturers | Companies of Austria
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"Bösendorfer"