Cocteau

Jean Cocteau Bösendorfer Artist Series

Ahead of His Times

Jean Cocteau ( 1889-1963 ) was a French writer, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker. He was a contemporary of Picasso and had working associations with many world famous artists and musicians like Igor Stravinsky and Erik Satie.   The Collector's Grand is design for model size 200 and 214VC. It can be ordered in either black or white polyester with chrome fittings and a silver colored frame and is limited to 12 pieces.

The Menton Music festival is the oldest and one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe. Piano music is featured significantly at the festival with, both, outdoor concerts in the wonderful medieval town square, and indoor concerts inside the exciting  ultra modern Museum Jean Cocteau that houses the Severin Wunderman collection. In recent years the Museum concerts have been performed on a Bösendorfer so it was a perfect fit to craft a Collector's Bösendorfer “Cocteau” Grand. 

When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work.

Jean Cocteau

( 1889 – 1963 )

214 cm
151 cm
102 cm
214 cm


Bösendorfer Grand 200 bis 214VC

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Resonance Case Principle
Details
Very similar in principle to a violin the whole body - not exclusively the soundboard - supports sound formation. The actual core of the piano rim consists of a 10 mm quarter-sawn piece that is specially grooved by our craftsmen to allow it to be bent to the silhouette around the inner rim. This is unique to Bösendorfer. When a note is played, the integrated spruce components become acoustically active, forming a complete resonating body that allows the whole instrument to project your play. An outstanding richness of tone colour and our legendary pure and brilliant sound is crafted this way. This complex construction is part of the Viennese tradition of piano making.
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From delicate pianissimo to splendid fortissimo
Details
A Bösendorfer Grand shows optimal controllability. Developed in cooperation with artists and technicians our action is crafted to our own, refined specification. This action is built to transfer the finest articulation of masterful play. Controllability at play.
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Unique bass strings
Details
All bass strings are spun in our unique Bösendorfer way. A steel core string is the basis for 1 or two layers of copper. The carefully spun strings are a substantial element of the warm and sonorous Bösendorfer bass
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Independent Capo d’Astro
Details
Bösendorfer is the only piano manufacturer that applies a detachable and independent Capo d’Astro in the upper register. This is how we assure an utmost precise adjustment in the upper register guaranteeing the original Bösendorfer Sound for generations: Unique sound for more than one generation.
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Traditional Sand Cast
Details
We are using the traditional sand casting to forge our frame. Our raw frames, produced in Austria, rest 6 months outside the factory. This is how all inner strain of the forging process are released allowing the frame to remain relaxed under 20 tons of string tension. Pure stability.
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Open pinblock
Details
Tonal stability at its best: Our open pinblock consists out of 3 layers of 7mm quarter sawn maple, glued cross-grained to each other. Settled on a base of red beech this construction offers a firm basis for the pins tied with strings. The top layer is refined with a 1.5mm walnut veneer. Our open pin block: a sound basis indeed.
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Individually stringing
Details
Each string is individually attached with a handmade loop. Over time this improves tuning stability and is particularly service friendly.
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Nature
Details
The basis of each Bösendorfer Grand is spruce that is naturally dried by air and has proven to be the ideal tone wood. The four seasons, sun, wind and wide temperature differences gently prepare this wood for its final purpose: to resonate. At Bösendorfer we use more than 80% of spruce tone wood building our instruments, more than any other manufacturer. When you add the natural drying process to our manufacturing time, it actually takes 6 years until the Bösendorfer Grand arrives at your doorstep. Precious time, necessary to craft the unique Bösendorfer Sound.
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Individual finishing
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The exclusive production of close to 300 instruments per year allows us to meet your individual requests. Whether you would like to apply precious veneers, your favourite colour or an emblem designed by yourself carefully engraved by master artisans: Anything is possible. Our Bösendorfer Artisans will prepare a colour sample, before we start production and collaborate with you on your design. After your approval, your very own, unique instrument is crafted: An instrument as extraordinary as you are.
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Made in Austria
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Bösendorfer Grands are not just an object of investment but of value that will last more than one generation. Our skilled Bösendorfer Artisans reveal the inner beauty of the Bösendorfer sound, unique in colour, dynamics and expression. Perfected throughout generations. It takes the dedication of our Bösendorfer Artisans for up to a year to build your Bösendorfer Grand. A personal touch that you will sense the moment you play. Austrian quality, Viennese soul.
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Vienna Concert
Details
Brilliant colours, energetic dynamics and a unique mechanical action: the new Vienna Concert technology is the sound for the next generation.
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Grand Piano
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Uncompromising traditional handcrafting, beauty and the Viennese soul. Made in Austria for close to two centuries, since 1828. The sole limitation of your Bösendorfer Grand is its surrounding. Everything else is taken care of by us. Our instruments will unveil the fine nuances of the music you play - key by key, yet unseen and unheard.
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Collector's Item
Details
A tribute to precious materials, breath-taking aesthetics and master craftsmanship. Unique in design, sound and perfection: our Bösendorfer Collector's Edition. Exclusivity for the eye.

Jean Cocteau was a multi-disciplinary protean artiste who embraced creativity in all its forms… With inimitable elegance, Jean Cocteau created a body of oeuvres which is considered today to be of great importance.

Pierre Bergé | President Comité Jean Cocteau


It is a great honour for the Menton Festival which this year will celebrate its  66th anniversary to  work with Bösendorfer on  this exceptional piano. Cocteau was an avid visitor to the Festival and the special relationship he maintained with the city of Menton confers a  particular sense to this project.

Paul-Emmanuel Thomas | Directeur Artistique Festival de Menton

Oscar Peterson
Beethoven