Nieuw, Bosendorfer, Audi

Description
We present the Bösendorfer Audi, a grand piano that combines Viennese sonic tradition with Audi aesthetics. Its design was conceived to celebrate the centenary of the automobile brand and provides a modern appearance without giving up the acoustic character typical of Bösendorfer.
Collaboration and concept
The project originated at the Audi Design Center in Munich: the team followed Audi’s formal and chromatic language to outfit a grand concert piano with a distinctive image. Wolfgang Egger, Audi’s design director, highlighted the challenge of adapting a new look to such a sensitive instrument.
Shape and sonority
The most distinctive feature is the closed side wall in the bass area, which visually extends down to the floor. This geometry not only offers a unique stage presence and greater stability, but also acts as a reflector, projecting the bass with more power into the hall.
Refined design and construction
The instrument avoids unnecessary ornamentation: surfaces are clean, edges are well defined and the lid visually integrates with the leg, creating a continuous silhouette. To achieve the complex shape of the lid, Bösendorfer developed a specific press mould, unique in piano manufacturing.
Intended audience
This piano appeals both to performers seeking sound quality and to designers who value a contemporary visual presence. It is a proposal for concerts and spaces where appearance and sound projection matter equally.
Material and finish
Acoustic instrument, high-gloss black finish, retaining Bösendorfer’s traditional constructional and timbral characteristics.
Presentation video
Available: the video of the premiere concert (world premiere in July 2009) which illustrates the model’s aesthetics and acoustic behavior.
Remarks
Instrument condition: New.