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Left: The Bösendorfer Model 290 Imperial Concert Grand Piano with Artists Bench as it is traditionally made in a contemporary style and with the ebony black gloss mirror-like finish (64,105 bytes).

Even though it was decades ago, I vividly recall seeing and hearing Victor Borge in his solo performance with a magnificent Bösendorfer Model 290 at D.A.R. Constitution Hall, in Washington D.C. In that professionally illuminated concert setting the interior of the Imperial piano seemed to radiate gold, while the lid reflected the interior of the instrument as though it were a flawless mirror! Add to this awesome presence the music! Ah, the tone, clarity, and range of expression of that instrument was wonderful. And when I think back how Mr. Borge closed with a beautifully performed Schumann's "Kinderszenen" I marvel at how that instrument even when played Pianissimo filled Constitution Hall with the music! And that was the day I decided an Imperial would be the only instrument that could satisfy all my sensibilities.
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For a higher resolution view click here to see the 1280 x 854, 72 dpi image (439,919 bytes). This is suitable for use as a 15 inch Apple Macintosh notebook desktop image for example.

And for an even higher resolution view click here to see the 1800 x 1440, 72 dpi image (924,893 bytes). One can reduce this as needed for use as a desktop image (1600 x 1200, etc.).

Left: Another perspective of the Bösendorfer Model 290 Imperial Concert Grand Piano as it is traditionally made in a contemporary style. Note the massive casters, these are among those aspects that distinguish the Imperial from its smaller cousins (64,105 bytes).
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Left: The owner visiting his new Bösendorfer Model 290 at The Piano Company in Leesburg, Virginia probably in July 2000 just prior to it leaving for display in Washington, D.C. Notice the Piano Bench shown in this image was a temporary model, and not the one provided with the instrument as can be seen in the following image of the Piano.
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Left: Cleared for Action, with its proper Bench too! 22 October 2006
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Left: The "Business End" of this Bösendorfer Model 290, 22 October 2006. It is almost as much a challenge to photograph this instrument as it is to play it well.
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And for an even higher resolution view click here to see the 1200 x 953 image (824,642 bytes).

Left: A Merry Christmas 2000 indeed - a Merry Bösendorfer Christmas! The tree in the background was about ten or twelve feet tall.
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Left: The piano with fall board and the lid flap closed. Notice how the finish reflects everything in the room, this makes it a challenge to capture great images of these pianos that are free of distractions. June 2003.
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Left: at far left is the piano with its quilted cover, note the stitched Bösendorfer logo.
At right, is the cover shown with front panel folded back.

This quilted cover was ordered in November 2023, with the kind assistance of Kelly at Piano Showcase, Inc. of Toronto, Canada.
And in a pleasant surprise, it is Made in the U.S.A.!
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Left: A Bösendorfer Christmas 2007! The piano lid has a mirror like finish, here it is reflecting the Christmas Tree and paintings of the HMS Victory by Jose R. Martinez (right) and another by John Eggett (left). 30 December 2007.
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Left: Gerhard and Lisa Feldmann of Bösendorfer New York at my piano for its servicing visit on 11 August 2006
You may see another image of Mr. Feldmann servicing this Bösendorfer at Gerhard's notable artists page
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Left: The Renner action of piano being serviced by Mr. Gerhard Feldmann, Piano Technician of Bösendorfer New York on 11 August 2006. The entire Renner made action slides out from the front of the Piano. This is work for only the most experienced, diligent and trusted technician! Notice how the mirror like finish of the piano reflects all, including the Persian rug below the instrument reflected off the right corner.
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Left: Those who craft those magnificent pianos at L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH.
Image taken at Gymelsdorfer Gasse 42, in Wiener Neustadt, Austria to which all production was relocated in 1973. Image courtesy of L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH.
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or to see a massive 2.8 megabyte image where the faces will be more clear click here.

Left: Ten employees pose at the factory within the shipping crate of an Imperial Model 290 piano. This photograph was provided to the author through the courtesy of L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH. I suspect a much smaller crate is used when a Piano Technician is dispatched to perform maintenance.
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Left: Sound Engineer Mr. Chris Murphy of RHL Audio with a lot of buttons and dials to keep track of! Mr. Murphy is based in Fairfax, Virginia and has provided technical advice to me in advance of events at my home in Maryland. He has also attended the events bringing a room full of recording equipment to do the on site recording. And after the events he performs the mixing and mastering of the recorded audio tracks. He then furnishes a complete audio recording of my Bösendorfer piano to me in any format requested.
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You are listening to Chopin's "Op. 28, No. 20 Prelude in C minor" played on our Imperial Model 290 piano by Byron W. Petty flutist, pianist, composer and conductor.
Performed (unrehearsed!) by Byron on request while at a casual home gathering on 19 June 2003.
Pause, resume or save the background music with these buttons:

This reveals how the clear bass tones of this piano have a depth blacker than black!

More images to come!

Contact the owner of this piano.