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.