BÖSENDORFER 290 GRAND PIANO

A Vision for Transcription

The Italian composer, conductor, and pianist Ferruccio Busoni meticulously transcribes the famous organ works of J.S. Bach. He soon realises that he requires additional bass notes to do justice to Bach’s masterpieces and the immersive sound of 16 to 32-foot bass pipes found in an organ.

A New Challenge

Ludwig Bösendorfer is ready to take on this challenge. He builds the prototype with a full 8 octaves in tonal range. This Bösendorfer Concert Grand Piano 290 Imperial becomes the foundation for what will later be known as the Imperial Concert Grand.

Composers Embrace the Sound

Not only does Busoni appreciate the exceptional qualities of this new piano. Bartók, Debussy, and Ravel also composed further works to exploit the tremendous resonance of this very instrument. These oeuvres can only be played and interpreted as they were meant to—on the Imperial Concert Grand.

Orchestral Resonance

Evoking an extraordinary sound—sonorous and rich in expression and resonance—the timbre of the Imperial Grand seems almost orchestral. The additional deeper bass notes resonate with every key you strike. The massive soundboard supports the projection of any frequency.

A Legacy of Innovation

Ludwig Bösendorfer’s Imperial still, to this day, represents the precious heritage of the Bösendorfer piano manufactory. Impressive in sound. Imposing in appearance.