Bösendorfer Oscar Peterson Signature Edition Piano Brings Jazz Icon’s Performances Back to Life
TORONTO (PRWEB) December 11, 2015 -- Bösendorfer will reveal a stunning piece of musical history tonight at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto when the storied piano manufacturer unveils a remarkable instrument capable of recreating “live” performances originally recorded by Oscar Peterson, one of the greatest jazz pianists ever.
The Bösendorfer Oscar Peterson Signature Edition piano pays homage to the late jazz icon, who treasured his own handpicked Bösendorfer Imperial piano. It also represents a remarkable technological feat — that of faithfully recreating note-for-note performances that Mr. Peterson had personally recorded in the 1970s on the Pianocorder, the most advanced reproducing piano technology of that era.
The digital recordings, which captured extremely accurate key and pedal data of Mr. Peterson’s performances, have been meticulously rescued and converted this year to a modern-day format, enjoyed once again thanks to Disklavier E3 technology built into the limited edition Bösendorfer piano.
With just the touch of a button, the instrument’s keys and pedals come alive, moving up and down to recreate Mr. Peterson’s original performances, just as he played them 40 years ago. Included in this historical collection are: “Tenderly” (Walter Gross), “Take the A Train” and “Lush Life” (Billy Strayhorn), “Back Home Again in Indiana” (James F. Hanley), “Who Can I Turn To” (Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley), “Falling In Love with Love” (Richard Rodgers), “Body and Soul” (Johnny Green), “Blues of the Prairies” (Oscar Peterson), “Honeysuckle Rose” (Fats Waller), “Misty” (Erroll Garner), “A Time for Love” (Johnny Mandel), “Old Folks” (Willard Robison) and “Someone to Watch Over Me” (George Gershwin).
“Tears surprised me as the first notes resonated from the piano,” reflected Kelly Peterson, Oscar’s wife. “The memory of it brings tears still…the best part, however, was being able to stand at the keyboard, in Oscar’s ‘spot,’ and hear the performance from his perspective. I could never do that during a concert, of course, and this opportunity had me spellbound.”
Only 12 Bösendorfer Oscar Peterson Signature Edition pianos will be available for sale worldwide. The first of the pianos will be on display at The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall in Toronto during Oscar @ 90, an evening of piano music to celebrate the 90th birthday of the late jazz icon. The event will be live streamed at http://www.rcmusic.ca/livestream tonight, December 11, 8 p.m. ET.
“The exclusivity of owning a Bösendorfer brings with it a pride, satisfaction and enjoyment known only to collectors of fine art and fine musical instruments,” said Simon Oss, premium piano marketing manager, Bösendorfer. “This Bösendorfer Oscar Peterson Signature Edition is steeped in jazz history and in the company’s rich European musical legacy–straight from the home of Franz Schubert, Gustav Mahler, W.A. Mozart, Franz Liszt, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Joseph Haydn, as well as jazz artists George Duke, Joe Zawinul, and many more. We are proud to offer this piano with Disklavier E3 technology to bring these outstanding performances by the iconic jazz pianist Oscar Peterson to music lovers for the very first time on a Bösendorfer in their living room.”
For more information about Bösendorfer pianos, please visit http://4wrd.it/BOSENDORFERTOUR.
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About Bösendorfer
Bösendorfer was founded in 1828 and has been the instrument of choice for many of the world’s most famous artists and composers. This limited production, handcrafted instrument remains one of the most sought after instruments for musicians, institutions and piano enthusiasts worldwide.
Peter Giles, Giles Communications, +1 (914) 798-7120, [email protected]
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