Among its novelties is that its sound board – made of a multilayered carbon composite rather than wood – and casing are suspended in the air thanks to a cantilevered construction beneath the keyboard. Musicologist András Batta said the Bogányi piano “is rooted in the Lisztian tradition but points to the future.”

To illustrate the piano’s sound, Bogányi performed two Debussy pieces, followed by a short recital by four-time Grammy nominee US jazz pianist Gerald Clayton. It may look aerodynamic and robotic.

But this piano has a “more human, more friendly sound” than the contemporary ones and requires less maintenance, Bogányi said, adding that its qualities had even surprised its developers.

Zengafons has made two “Bogányis” so far and won 126 million forints (EUR 396,000) in EU funding and 60 million forints (EUR 189,000) from the National Bank of Hungary for its development.

Gábor Reisinger, head of the New York-based Klavierhaus, said the new instrument testifies that “art has gained the upper hand over industry”. He said his company would spare no effort to put the Bogányi piano on the “international piano map”.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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