Ludwig Bösendorfer

Biography

Ludwig Bösendorfer, having had the benefit of a thorough education and extended travels, took over his father Ignatz Bösendorfer's firm and soon became a factor in the piano world, making his pianos known far beyond Austria. He improved on his father's designs as far as his admiration for the 'Vienna tone' would permit, producing pianos that continued to hold their own against other celebrated makes. Appreciating the value of virtuosos to his business, he erected a concert hall in 1872, at whose opening Hans von Bülow gave a recital. Bösendorfer's grand pianos remained favorites of many leading virtuosos, and his factory ranked foremost in artistic piano production. In recognition of his services to the industry, the Emperor of Austria appointed him purveyor to the court, conferred the title of Imperial Commercial Counselor, and bestowed on him the decoration of the Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown. Ludwig Bösendorfer is named as the manufacturer who furnished the Empress Elizabeth of Austria with an art-grand piano. The text describes the instrument as one in which the sculptor's art predominates to an overwhelming degree, showing a masterly treatment of wood for artistic display. The piano is illustrated in the book's plates as an example of the highest artistic ambition in piano case decoration of the period, produced under Bösendorfer's name. Ludwig Bösendorfer is thanked by name in Alfred Dolge's foreword among ten men whose 'kind and valuable assistance' is credited with supplying the book with important data that it would otherwise lack. The text does not elaborate on the nature of his assistance or state any company affiliation, though the name corresponds to the well-known Viennese piano house. No dates, nationality, or further biography are given in this portion of the text. Ludwig Bösendorfer, of Vienna, is noted as building a concert grand piano ten feet in length with a compass of eight octaves, exceeding the usual nine-foot length and 7½-octave compass of the modern concert grand described elsewhere in the passage. No further biographical detail is given here. Ludwig Bösendorfer is identified as the only honorary member of the Vienna piano and organ makers' association, organized in 1905. The text supplies no additional biographical detail here.

Highlights

• Thanked by name in Dolge's foreword for 'kind and valuable assistance' supplying data used in the book.
• Surname matches the Vienna piano-making firm of Bösendorfer, though the text itself does not state a company affiliation.
• Of Vienna, builds a concert grand piano 10 feet in length with a compass of eight octaves, larger than the usual nine-foot, 7½-octave concert grand
• Furnished Empress Elizabeth of Austria with an art-grand piano notable for its heavily sculptural, artistic decoration
• Took over his father Ignatz's firm and improved on its designs while preserving the admired 'Vienna tone'
• Built a concert hall in 1872 at which Hans von Bülow gave the opening recital
• Appointed purveyor to the Austrian court, made Imperial Commercial Counselor, and awarded the Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown
• The sole honorary member of the Vienna piano and organ makers' association

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 189, 219, 220, 407.

Public domain.