Johann Strauss II's Original Piano

[Rob Mitchell]

An auction house in Oakland, CA will be selling the 1896 custom-designed
Bosendorfer owned by Johann Strauss on September 9:
 
http://www.clars.com/archive/year_2007/Sep2007/na_specialcollections_b.html 
 
Lot# 6318

For the first time in recent memory, a piano owned and played by a major
classical composer will come to an auction block anywhere in the world.
Johann Strauss II’s (1825-1899) original piano, a Bösendorfer, recently made
the journey from the Historical Museum of Vienna, Austria to Clars, a
regional auction gallery and will sell the grand piano in early September
2007 on behalf of Strauss’ heirs, who reside in the Bay Area 
Not only was the piano a key element to Strauss’s success, but it also comes
with a rich history. Strauss, the famed composer and conductor known as “The
King of the Waltz”, began composing and conducting at an early age, stepping
in when his father, famed composer and violinist Johann Strauss I, died in
1849 at the age of 45. In 1896, Ludwig Bösendorfer presented his dear friend
Johann Strauss with the gift of a Bösendorfer custom-made grand piano.
Amazingly, the original paperwork, including a pro-forma bill of sale from
the Bösendorfer Piano Company and Strauss’ signature confirming receipt of
the gift, has remained with the piano for over 100 years. 
Unfortunately, no details are provided as to the condition of the piano.
The pre-sale estimate is between $50,000 and $100,000, though said it may go
for 7 figures given the piano’s historical significance.  
 
 
Rob
 
Mitchell Piano Service
www.mitchellpianoservice.com
(415) 994-1030
 
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