Bösendorfer Imperial
The Bösendorfer Imperial is one of the most famous pianos in the world, and the flagship of the Viennese maker.
The extra keys
Its defining feature is size and range. The Imperial, model 290, is a concert grand of around nine and a half feet with 97 keys instead of the usual 88. The extra keys extend the bass down to the bottom C, below where a normal piano stops. A few pieces call for those notes, and even when they are not played, the extra strings add resonance and depth to the whole instrument. The lowest keys are often finished in black so the pianist can still find the normal bottom of the keyboard.
The sound
The Imperial is known for an enormous, warm, singing bass and the transparent Viennese tone Bösendorfer is loved for. It is a concert instrument, at home in a hall or a very large room.