Bösendorfer
The Bösendorfer factory was established in Vienna in July 1828 by Ignaz Bösendorfer. He invested 500 guilders in the company, which he left to his son in 1859 at a value of 145.000 guilders.In 1867 Bösendorfer participated in the World Expo in Paris. For him as well, this was a way for his instruments to rise to international fame. Austrian empress Elisabeth, also known as “Sissi”, was so impressed that she ordered a Bösendorfer grand piano as a personal gift to French empress Eugenie.
Around the year 1900 Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni put in a request to produce a special instrument. He was transcribing J.S. Bachs famous organ pieces and found the grand piano lacking in range. Ludwig Bösendorfer, Ignaz’ son, took on the challenge and built the Bösendorfer Concert Grand 290, later named the Imperial. Until this day it is the only grand piano with a range of exactly eight octaves.
Unlike other piano producers, Bösendorfer produced not only the soundboard but also the resonance box out of tonewood.
During the Second World War the factory’s wood supply was severely damaged by bombing. Later the allied forces ended up using the left over grand pianos in the factory’s showroom for firewood.
