Liszt - Ultimate Design - Pianos - Bösendorfer

Liszt

Virtuoso

Liszt

Ultimate Design

1828, Vienna: When Ignaz Bösendorfer started his own piano manufacturing company the young virtuoso Franz Liszt is ruining almost every piano with his passionate playing. At this time, there are nearly 150 piano builders in Vienna alone, which actually illustrates the importance of piano music. Following the advice of his friends Liszt selects a Bösendorfer Grand for his concert and, in fact, this piano withstands his powerful performance. Bösendorfer becomes famous overnight. A close friendship shall evolve between Franz Liszt and Bösendorfer. This Bösendorfer Grand, crafted with precious Vavona veneer, is a tribute to this exceptionally talented, pianist and composer, who himself owned quite a few Bösendorfer Grands. The close relation with Bösendorfer is documented by more than 40 letters and telegrams written by Liszt. Pianists have always found a reliable partner in a Bösendorfer Grand. Artists do not have to limit their virtuoso play in any way and may unleash their artistic play freely. Like Liszt once did.

The perfection of a Bösendorfer exceeds my wildest expectations.

Franz Liszt

( 1811 - 1886 )

Resonance Case Principle

Very similar in principle to a violin the whole body - not exclusively the soundboard - supports sound formation. The actual core of the piano rim consists of a 10 mm quarter-sawn piece that is specially grooved by our craftsmen to allow it to be bent to the silhouette around the inner rim. This is unique to Bösendorfer. When a note is played, the integrated spruce components become acoustically active, forming a complete resonating body that allows the whole instrument to project your play. An outstanding richness of tone colour and our legendary pure and brilliant sound is crafted this way. This complex construction is part of the Viennese tradition of piano making.

From delicate pianissimo to splendid fortissimo

A Bösendorfer Grand shows optimal controllability. Developed in cooperation with artists and technicians our action is crafted to our own, refined specification. This action is built to transfer the finest articulation of masterful play. Controllability at play.

Unique bass strings

All bass strings are spun in our unique Bösendorfer way. A steel core string is the basis for 1 or two layers of copper. The carefully spun strings are a substantial element of the warm and sonorous Bösendorfer bass

Independent Capo d’Astro

Bösendorfer is the only piano manufacturer that applies a detachable and independent Capo d’Astro in the upper register. This is how we assure an utmost precise adjustment in the upper register guaranteeing the original Bösendorfer Sound for generations: Unique sound for more than one generation.

Traditional Sand Cast

We are using the traditional sand casting to forge our frame. Our raw frames, produced in Austria, rest 6 months outside the factory. This is how all inner strain of the forging process are released allowing the frame to remain relaxed under 20 tons of string tension. Pure stability.

Open pinblock

Tonal stability at its best: Our open pinblock consists out of 3 layers of 7mm quarter sawn maple, glued cross-grained to each other. Settled on a base of red beech this construction offers a firm basis for the pins tied with strings. The top layer is refined with a 1.5mm walnut veneer. Our open pin block: a sound basis indeed.

Individually stringing

Each string is individually attached with a handmade loop. Over time this improves tuning stability and is particularly service friendly.

Nature

The basis of each Bösendorfer Grand is spruce that is naturally dried by air and has proven to be the ideal tone wood. The four seasons, sun, wind and wide temperature differences gently prepare this wood for its final purpose: to resonate. At Bösendorfer we use more than 80% of spruce tone wood building our instruments, more than any other manufacturer. When you add the natural drying process to our manufacturing time, it actually takes 6 years until the Bösendorfer Grand arrives at your doorstep. Precious time, necessary to craft the unique Bösendorfer Sound.

Individual finishing

The exclusive production of close to 300 instruments per year allows us to meet your individual requests. Whether you would like to apply precious veneers, your favourite colour or an emblem designed by yourself carefully engraved by master artisans: Anything is possible. Our Bösendorfer Artisans will prepare a colour sample, before we start production and collaborate with you on your design. After your approval, your very own, unique instrument is crafted: An instrument as extraordinary as you are.

Made in Austria

Bösendorfer Grands are not just an object of investment but of value that will last more than one generation. Our skilled Bösendorfer Artisans reveal the inner beauty of the Bösendorfer sound, unique in colour, dynamics and expression. Perfected throughout generations. It takes the dedication of our Bösendorfer Artisans for up to a year to build your Bösendorfer Grand. A personal touch that you will sense the moment you play. Austrian quality, Viennese soul.

Vienna Concert

Brilliant colours, energetic dynamics and a unique mechanical action: the new Vienna Concert technology is the sound for the next generation.

Disklavier Edition

Listen to the grand works of great masters of piano music without lifting one single finger. After all, every pianist deserves a break. The Bösendorfer Disklavier Edition will surprise you by playing back any performance with ultimate precision and refinement. Listen to Rachmaninoff playing his own works, wonder about the mystical interpretations of Arthur Rubinstein, groove to Oscar Peterson’s tunes: Our Bösendorfer Disklavier Edition comes with more than 1.000 recordings of different styles and genres. We apply the most sophisticated system there is, the Disklavier Enspire player technology developed by Yamaha. Pianists cannot only enjoy listing to a library of performances but immediately record and play back their very own music.

Silent Edition

This sound miracle can also be enjoyed in the middle of the night with the Bösendorfer Silent Edition. We only use the state of the art Yamaha Silent SH System which does not alter mechanical nor acoustic qualities in the slightest. Musical inspiration, acoustic and digital in nature: glistening sound waves oscillating in two worlds.

Imperial in sound

Our Concert Grand 290 Imperial and the Grand Piano 225 come with additional bass notes Model 225 has in total 92 notes and our 290 has 97 (8 full octaves) rather than the standard 88 tones. Certain works by Busoni, Bartók, and Ravel, can only be performed accurately on these instruments. Thanks to the enormous resonance board and the additional strings the pianist is able to enjoy an orchestral sound. Imperial in sound and appearance: the Bösendorfer Imperial Line.

Grand Piano

Uncompromising traditional handcrafting, beauty and the Viennese soul. Made in Austria for close to two centuries, since 1828. The sole limitation of your Bösendorfer Grand is its surrounding. Everything else is taken care of by us. Our instruments will unveil the fine nuances of the music you play - key by key, yet unseen and unheard.

Concert Grand

Illuminating the Bösendorfer Sound universe on the world's famous stages or within the intimate surrounding of your own 4 walls: Experience the brilliant Bösendorfer Sound in concert.

Ultimate Design

Clear lines, playful forms and precious veneers: our Ultimate Design Line catches your attention by sight and celebrates the art of design and brilliant sound.

Characteristics

Designed for Bösendorfer Grand Pianos 170 to 225 and Concert Grands 280 and 290

Optional

Bösendorfer Silent Edition 170VC, 185VC and 214VC
Bösendorfer Player Edition 170VC, 185VC, 214VC and 280VC

Product changes reserved. Photos of product, colours and veneer patterns shown serve as a sample. The actual colour and veneer structure of the selected materials may differ. Please consult us during the selection process.