About Bösendorfer Pianos
About Bösendorfer
Founded in 1828 by Ignaz Bösendorfer in Vienna, Austria, Bösendorfer is one of the oldest continuously operating premium piano manufacturers and the only manufacturer to build by Viennese piano making traditions. Bösendorfer’s talented artisans meticulously handcraft their pianos with the finest materials and uncompromising skill, building close to 300 pianos each year and just over 50,000 in total. These pianos are known for their exceptional beauty, ability to express subtle nuances, rich sound, and long sustain.
Viennese Craftsmanship
A Bösendorfer piano can take up to 1 year to build. Each piano is handcrafted in Austria by gifted artisans using only the best materials and unwavering standards to ensure the highest quality.
If one were to include the time it takes to naturally air dry the wood, it would take up to 6 years to completely build a Bösendorfer piano. Part of Bösendorfer’s unique manufacturing process is their choice of wood. Spruce was found to be the optimal wood for carrying sound along the grain and Bösendorfer uses more than 80% of spruce to build their pianos, which is more than any other manufacturer.
Another important aspect of Bösendorfer’s unique crafting includes the resonance case principle, which is based on Viennese piano making traditions. Similar to a violin, they use the entire body of the piano to support sound formation, rather than just the soundboard which results in rich tonal colors and outstanding resonance.
Step Inside the Bösendorfer Factory
Take a tour of the Bösendorfer factory to see how these extraordinary instruments are made.
