Steinway vs Bösendorfer

Bösendorfer is the great Viennese piano maker, and one of the few names spoken of in the same breath as Steinway.

The makers

Bösendorfer has built pianos in Vienna since 1828, and is now owned by Yamaha, which has kept it as a separate, hand-built luxury marque. Steinway builds in New York and Hamburg. Both are top-end, hand-made instruments in the same price bracket.

Tone

The classic difference is character. Bösendorfer is known for a warm, mellow, singing Viennese tone, often described as transparent and vocal, and prized for classical and chamber music. Steinway is more powerful and brilliant, with a bigger projection that suits the concert platform. Many pianists choose between them by repertoire.

A Bösendorfer quirk

Some larger Bösendorfers, including the Imperial, add extra keys at the bass end, below the normal bottom note, for the handful of pieces that call for them and for extra resonance.

Which to buy

Both are superb and expensive. This is a choice of character, not quality, so play both. If either is out of reach, a reconditioned Yamaha grand, from the company that now owns Bösendorfer, gives you a fine instrument for far less.

For more, see our full guide to Bösendorfer pianos, including models, prices, dating and buying advice.