Bösendorfer Hall in Vienna
It appears that the Japanese company Yamaha has reached an agreement to purchase a controlling stake in Austrian piano manufacturer Bösendorfer from current owner BAWAG PSK. Bösendorfer is one of the world's most distinguished piano makers and their pianos are known for several key characteristics, among them are their durability (Franz Liszt is said to have preferred them as the only pianos that could withstand his virtuosic onslaughts), a rich, full sound, and unique models featuring 92 and 97-key keyboards in addition to the traditional 88-key models. Yamaha said it intends to keep Bösendorfer's manufacturing facilities in Austria.
Press release on the sale from Bösendorfer's official web site
Forbes.com article
Playbill Arts article
BBC Music Magazine article
AFP article
Ah, this is too sad! I didn't know Bosendorfer was being bought by Yamaha. Although, it looks like this news is a few years old. I need to keep up.
ReplyDeleteThere goes another of the great European piano makers, probably the best of them actually.