12 April 2017
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Bosendorfer
Top-end piano manufacture takes a leap forward with the launch of the 280VC (‘Vienna Concert’) Grand alongside its smaller sister, the 214VC
Top-end piano manufacture took a leap forward last month with the launch of the 280VC (‘Vienna Concert’) Grand, alongside its smaller sister, the 214VC
The launch took place at Conway Hall, in the heart of London. It was hosted by Simon Markson, Managing Director of London piano retailer Markson Pianos.
Markson Pianos are the sole UK supplier of the 280VC.
Just after playing some Chopin and Liszt on the new instrument, Polish pianist Aleksandra Mikulska reacted with enthusiasm. ‘It has a big sound,’ she said, ‘and it gives the artist the opportunity to play this big sound with less power than you might need with other concert grands. And it gives you many, many colours! There’s the brilliant soprano register and the voluminous bass. It gives you a lot of colours without big work!’
Watch Mikulska play an excerpt from the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No 11 here:
Various upgrades to every aspect of the Bösendorfer model have been made in order to improve the stability of the instrument, whatever the context. ‘Our aim is to make the life of a concert pianist as easy as possible’, explained the company’s chief technician, Ferdinand Bräu. ‘To stay true to the individual unique design and the unmistakable “Vienese” sound, but meeting all the needs and expectations of the 21st century. Accessibility must be very easy these days – venues don’t have much time to sort things. There’s a demand for a certain spectrum of dynamic range at these big venues.’
Watch Aleksandra Mikulska playing part of Chopin’s Antante spianato and Grand Polonaise billante:
The 214VC has been designed to carry over the principles and technology of the 280VC to suit smaller contexts such as teaching classes and more intimate venues. Sir András Schiff has already given the 280VC a ringing endorsement as a ‘singing’ instrument, comfortable to play and ‘great for the Viennese classics’: he will use it in forthcoming recitals.
We've also been told that Daniil Trifonov will be choosing two new 280VC concert grands for Vienna’s spectacular Musikverein when he appears in concert at the hall this May. That should be an event in itself!
Try the 280VC for yourself at Markson Pianos (No, we didn’t ask about the price!)