5 Years, Farewell & A New Beginning
CLOSING
SALE
PIANOS
50% OFF
LOUDSPEAKERS
60% OFF
SPECIAL PRICING: BENCHES, ACCESSORIES,
& GIFT ITEMS
Limited Availability
Only A Few Days Left
Call or Email
(212) 684-1956 x12
closing@BosendorferNewYork.com
Dear Friend of Bösendorfer New York,
This is indeed a hard newsletter to write... What was meant to be a celebratory epistle with lots of good news and commemorating our 5th Anniversary is turning into a farewell. Yes, you have read correctly - farewell, as in good-bye. And, yes, everyone else also responds with: WHAT?!?! So much for a Glorious 2008 - for which we all had so many expectations, in the sincere hope, that the takeover of Bösendorfer by Yamaha would result in a turn-around that preserves the essence, holds high the tradition and ideally even increases the quality and elevates the standard.
The acquisition was finalized mid January; however, to this day there has been no message of change (which we all, who more or less have watched the fate of this beloved piano rather closely, know is badly needed) Despite our reaching out, none of the new decision makers has ever visited us; the only correspondence received was our termination. We had pleaded for reconsideration, requested a meeting, even gone so far as reaching out to Japan directly; but we received only a thank you for all our work and good luck for the future - and a side note, that this is merely a business decision...
You all know what stir of activity has been generated by Bösendorfer New York in these past 5 years. We have put this for many "mysterious" brand out to the forefront; we have generated media exposure as never before; we have introduced Bösendorfer to a multitude of new high level artists and so many new owners, which - especially in the greater NYC area is unprecedented. And, contrary to widespread belief, Bösendorfer New York has not been supported by the manufacturer - not in creating the showroom, nor in keeping it up and running it - and all PR activities happened unsupported as well. Even Artist Relations, while initially partially receiving a contribution, has ceased to receive any funding.
So we have, with great effort and personal and financial engagement, created a presence that many started to copy - brand internal and even more so the competition. We had done this with the hope of eventually achieving greater influence at headquarters and assisting this magnificent and unique piano to arrive in terms of efficiency in operations and clarity in communications in the 21st Century. It obviously is not meant to happen. While this is extremely regrettable, it is in many ways also the end of a rather imbalanced relationship - and therefore liberating.
All that remains at this point is to wish Bösendorfer - the piano - all the luck that it can muster.
We, the founders and the team at Bösendorfer New York, will focus on the essence and what has been the foundation of this operation all along: restoring and servicing exceptional grand pianos and working very closely with the artist and the connoisseur: as the best - and the authentic Bösendorfers you will always find with us. Gerhard Feldmann celebrates not only 15 years of his service company, but more than 35 years of dedication to excellence. And Manuel Kiefer, best in class at the Bösendorfer apprentice program in Vienna and most promising talent in many years, has joined us for good.
So, be certain we will continue to set the standard that others try to achieve - and for now: Let's celebrate! Celebrate that it was, the many beautiful events and moments we have experienced, the network and community that developed out of this work. Our Big Birthday Bash (we still turned 5 after all) with 20 performers this past Thursday was without question the crowning highlight of our season, with attendance to capacity - and indeed planted the seed for more!
Our energies, knowledge and the network we have created will be the basis of a new era for Gerhard Feldmann Grand Piano Works, with workshop and ateliers continuing at 200 Lexington Avenue. All our contact information will of course remain the same and our level of dedication and excellence will - if anything - increase!
We look forward to continuing to provide you with highest level of knowledge and expertise to maintain your pianos, as we will continue to make our exceptional concert grands available for concerts and recordings (WunderKind anyone? - and, yes we are working on another very special one - two to be precise!) We will maintain our relationship to the foremost clubs and concert venues - and, we may very well be back with a showroom and a concert facility before too long! Stay tuned for more and for now, again - let's celebrate!
The Team at Gerhard Feldmann Grand Piano Works
