BÖSENDORFER PIANO'S

Model: Imperial
Amplification: Acoustic
Size: Concert Grand
Length: 9 ft 6 in (290 cm)
Keys: 97
 Origin: Vienna, Austria
Colour: Black

Sources: Rockfield Coach, Wessex, Townhouse & Musicland Studios
First Used: 'Sheer Heart Attack' sessions in Wales (probably)
Last Used: 'A Kind of Magic' sessions in Munich and London

The company was founded in Vienna in the year of 1828 by Ignaz Bösendorfer. In 1900 Ferruccio Busoni suggested the construction of an eight-octave 290 cm concert grand piano, and gave the name 'Imperial' to that model, which is the biggest and most expensive piano that can be found commercially.

Famous Bösendorfer owners include Paul Anka, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, George Harrison, Marvin Hamlisch, Dustin Hoffman, Quincy Jones, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Sting, Ron Wood, Stevie Wonder, Johannes Brahms, Richard Wagner and John Williams.

Brian seems to have liked the Bösendorfer sound, since loads of his piano-playing were recorded on those: Dear Friends (probably), All Dead All Dead (note the huge deep resonance on the bass-notes), Save Me, Flash's Theme (note the additional octave used for some odd effects), Las Palabras de Amor and Forever.