We are delighted to take part in London Craft Week this year and will be showcasing the exquisite limited edition Collector’s Klimt Bösendorfer – The Tree of Life Grand Piano, as part of the exhibition Meisterstrasse In Residence: Rethinking the Vienna World Exhibition 1873.
Meisterstrasse In Residence: Rethinking the Vienna World Exhibition 1873
Wednesday 11th May - Sunday 14th May, 11.00 am - 18.00 pm
Meisterstrasse Handmade presents an exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of the Vienna World Exhibition 1873. To celebrate, handcrafted products from traditional companies and young entrepreneurs will be on display alongside historical pieces from the original 1873 exhibition, building a bridge between history and contemporary crafts.
The new Collector's Item Grand Piano from the Bösendorfer Artist Series Gustav Klimt – The Tree of Life will be a key piece of the exhibition, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, but also creating a unique link between past and present.
The curated showcase of contemporary and historical crafts takes place at The Austrian Embassy in London at 18 Belgrave Square, a venue of great importance for Austria and a perfect space for a journey of craftsmanship through time and everlasting design.
‘Klimt Meets Bösendorfer – The Tree of Life’, piano recital by Alexandra Silocea
Tuesday 10th May, 6 pm to 8 pm
This concert experience created by international pianist and Bösendorfer Artist @AlexandraSilocea, premiered at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum on Gustav Klimt’s 160th birthday last year. It is inspired by Klimt's famous painting and the multifaceted symbol of the Tree of Life, and will take place as the inaugural concert for the Meisterstrasse In Residence: Rethinking the Vienna World Exhibition 1873.
Alexandra wears a creation by @laurahincu, hand painted by @beatrice_theartist
It includes solo piano pieces featuring Gustav Klimt’s favourite songs and poetry recitals. The highlights of the music programme include some of Klimt’s favourite songs by Schubert, such as ‘The Linden Tree’ (Der Lindenbaum) and ‘Serenade’ (Ständchen) performed by pianist Alexandra Silocea and mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, as well as solo piano pieces by L. Janacek, C. Debussy, F. Liszt and two contemporary composers: Fazil Say and Martin Romberg. The poetry, narrated by Vikki Stone, includes interludes with poems by J. Joyce, A.E. Housman, R. Frost, K. Gibran and others.
The concert is followed by a champagne reception.
Bösendorfer Tree of Life Grand Piano
The Bösendorfer ‘Tree of Life’ 214VC is a stunning celebration of one of the founding artists of the Vienna Secession Movement during the Art Nouveau era; Austrian symbolist painter, Gustav Klimt.
The Vienna Secession was well-known for its use of gold motifs, which symbolise growth and light; gold was, therefore, a big part of Klimt’s life and The Tree of Life is part of the ‘Golden Phase’ of his career.
Transferring this artwork onto a Bösendorfer Grand Piano involved the use of sophisticated reprographic techniques, which is the process of reproducing graphics through electrical or mechanical means.
Once the high-resolution image of the painting was transferred, skilled artisans then applied 23-carat gold leaf by hand, a touch that perfectly reflects the golden expression of Art Nouveau, and Klimt himself.
As a collector's item, the Tree of Life Grand Piano is limited to 25 instruments worldwide, each with its individually numbered brass plaque.
To discover more about this stunning piano, please do get in touch and our team of expert advisers would love to chat with you and arrange a time for you to visit us and play this limited edition Bösendorfer for yourself.
