Sound Checking The Imperial Model 290 Stream/play the .mp3 audio file of Mr. Gerhard Feldmann of Bösendorfer New York checking out my piano during his servicing visit on 19 June 2003, and providing the sound check for Sound Recording Engineer Sound Engineer Mr. Chris Murphy of RHL Audio. The three of us are heard briefly on this track discussing the piano prior to one of my house parties. This clip is included because it permits one to hear how beautifully Mr. Feldmann plays and how the piano sounds even informally when he is casually checking the instrument. Although many of his clients may not be there when Mr. Feldmann visits, I enjoy attending his service visits (aside from his friendship) to hear him play.

Length: 5 minutes 30 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 12.6 megabytes.

"Chopin Op. 28, No. 20 Prelude in C minor" Stream/play the .mp3 audio one of the more classic compositions, and how only the bell like qualities of the Bösendorfer can convey the depths of the bass chords as well as the delicacy when desired, of all notes throughout its range. Performed on the Imperial Model 290 by Byron W. Petty flutist, pianist, composer and conductor. Recorded live 19 June 2003 at a casual home gathering.

Length: 1 minutes 49 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 4.2 megabytes.

"As Time Goes By" Stream/play the .mp3 audio a popular composition of 1931 by Herman Hupfeld. Performed on the Imperial Model 290 by Byron W. Petty. Recorded live 19 June 2003 at a casual home gathering.

Length: 2 minutes 24 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 5.6 megabytes.

Viennese Waltz, #2 from a set of six waltzes written by Ignaz Friedman (1882-1948), a Polish child prodigy pianist and composer, entitled Six Viennese Waltzes on Themes from Gaertner (Eduard Gaertner). The author of this site thanks R. D. Pratt for identifying this for us. Furthermore, Mr. Pratt (a pianist who graduated form a Conservatory of Music) commented "Mr. Borge plays this type of music in the grand style of the past which is unattainable by almost all of today's pianists. It requires a flare and abandon that cannot be "taught".

Stream/play the .mp3 audio this was performed on a Imperial Model 290 by Victor Borge (1909-2000) at a live performance while he was in his 80's. While this was not performed on my own Imperial 290, this is included here since it was Mr. Borge who first inspired me to consider the Bösendorfer for myself. Note the recording quality is fair since most of Borge's performances were mic'd only for his voice to be heard by the audience, and not well placed for the piano since the Imperial piano could fill the venue on its own. The modest tape hiss is from the analog source.

Length: 3 minutes 23 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 7.8 megabytes.

Kinderszenen Op. 15 - Träumerei (show closing) Stream/play the .mp3 audio of Victor Borge (1909-2000) performing this on a Imperial Model 290 as he typically did when closing his live performances. This recalls my vivid memory of attending Mr. Borge's live show. Composition by Robert Schumann (1810-1856). This was recorded while he was in his 80's. While this was not performed on my own Imperial 290, this is included here since it was Mr. Borge who first inspired me to consider the Bösendorfer for myself. Note the recording quality is fair since most of Borge's performances were mic'd only for his voice to be heard by the audience, and not well placed for the piano since the Imperial piano could fill the venue on its own. The modest tape hiss is from the analog source.

Length: 2 minutes 02.8 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 4.7 megabytes.

31 mb Video Clip of Kinderszenen Op. 15 - Träumerei (show closing) Stream/play the .mpeg film video clip of Victor Borge (1909-2000) performing this on a Imperial Model 290 as he closed his live performances. Composition by Robert Schumann (1810-1856). This shows Mr. Borge in 1990 when he was 81 years young, and this is also available on this page as a smaller streaming audio clip listed above.

Length: 2 minutes 02.8 seconds ◊ File format: Video 320 x 240 MPEG-4 Video/AAC Audio ◊ Bit Rate: 2098.8 kbits/sec ◊ Audio Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 30.7 megabytes.

16mb Video Clip of Kinderszenen Op. 15 - Träumerei (show closing) Stream/play a smaller version (176 x 144) of the above .mpeg film video clip (16.34 megabytes).

"Clair De Lune" Stream/play the .mp3 audio the popular composition by Claude Debussy (1862-1918). Performed live on a Imperial Model 290 by Victor Borge (1909-2000). While this was not performed on my own Imperial 290, it is included here out of my admiration for Mr. Borge who first inspired me to consider the Bösendorfer for myself. Note the recording quality is fair since most of Borge's performances were mic'd only for his voice to be heard by the audience, and not well placed for the piano since the Imperial piano could fill the venue on its own. The modest tape hiss is from the analog source.

Length: 3 minutes 25 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps* stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 7.9 megabytes.

* stored here at 320 kbps, the original file was probably upconverted from 128 kbps.

"Prokofiev Sonta No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 1" Stream/play the .mp3 audio the popular 1909 composition by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). Performed by pianist Lura M. Johnson-Lee with the Bösendorfer Imperial piano at my home gathering of 9 September 2006. It was the first opportunity to record with my new DPA Reference Series microphones.

Length: 7 minutes 46 seconds ◊ File format: Audio MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer-3) ◊ Bit Rate: 320 kbps stereo ◊ Sample Rate: 44.10 kHz ◊ File Size: 17.8 megabytes.