FX.co ★ 4 extraordinary concert halls

Walt Disney Concert Hall, US

In 2003, in Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall was opened. It quickly turned into a new LA icon. This project was initiated in 1987 when Lillian Disney, the widow of Walt Disney, donated a big amount of money to build a venue as a tribute to her husband's devotion to the arts and the city. The hall was designed by architect Frank Gehry. Through its intricate structures and cutting-edge design, this venue has been recognized as one of the world's top acoustic halls. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, taking up an entire block in downtown Los Angeles, stands as a significant architectural landmark. The building's futuristic design with shimmering facades that resemble frozen ice blocks with sharp edges is a masterpiece of architectural imagination. The distinguishing features of this building are unique facades made from large panels of stainless steel that jump in and soar over the whole structure. Gehry flawlessly blended the building's aesthetic appeal and space. Thanks to the interior design, the concert hall is convenient for the audience, orchestra, and performers. Nowadays, it can host over 2,000 visitors. The centerpiece of the Walt Disney Concert Hall's auditorium is its large organ designed by Gehry. It is lined with external pipes projecting in various directions. The silver waves and arcs that line the exterior were developed using CATIA, a French computer modeling software.

Auditorio de Tenerife "Adán Martín", Spain

The Auditorio de Tenerife "Adán Martín" is a concert hall named after Adán Martín and designed by architect Santiago Calatrava Valls. This innovative building, located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, impresses visitors with its striking architectural forms and advanced technical capabilities. The construction of this unique concert hall began in 1997 and was completed in 2003. The opening ceremony was attended by Prince Felipe of Asturias (now King Felipe IV of Spain). This construction, considered by experts as the landmark event in avant-garde architecture, is situated in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Locals consider it a symbol of the city and the Canary Islands. The Tenerife concert hall is one of the most outstanding architectural objects in Spain. The building has unique acoustic properties that few opera houses in the world can match. The sound of its organ surpasses most concert halls. The design of the hall will stagger visitors. The elegant curves of the roof reflect white mosaic in the sunlight as well as the ocean and the whimsical landscapes. At night, the wave-like arches of the hall shine with neon light. On weekdays, the dome is illuminated with white bright lights, while on holidays and some special occasions, its color changes.

Great Amber Concert Hall, Latvia

Opened in 2015, the Great Amber Concert Hall serves as a multi-functional center for both national and European art. The venue regularly hosts various cultural events, avant-garde performances, and music festivals. Since its opening, the concert hall has been under the management of the national company, SIA Lielais Dzintars. Art connoisseurs call the Great Amber Concert Hall a "cultural beacon," fostering various forms of art in the country. Visitors are also captivated by the unusual architectural design of the building, a slightly twisted monolithic cone with a transparent façade and amber finish. Some people also poetically describe the hall as music frozen in the sunstone. Inside the Great Amber Concert Hall, there is a cylindrical structure divided into several distinct spaces. It has three concert halls – the Great Hall with 1010 seats, the Chamber Hall with 200 seats, and the Experimental Stage with 150 seats. There is also a café, restaurant, and multifunctional space named Civita Nova. Lighting plays a key part in the building's design. The city's buildings are reflected in the amber-hued glass façades, while natural sunlight enters the building through special tubes, creating a warm ambiance. The varied shades of the seats create an enchanting atmosphere, resembling a scattering of precious stones.

Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium, Italy

The curves of the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium designed by Oscar Niemeyer rise imposingly against the scenic backdrop of the Italian resort town of Ravello. The project was introduced in 2000 and was completed in 2009. The auditorium has a capacity for 400 people and hosts concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events. It sits on a narrow terrace that overlooks the sea. It is built into the slope of the hill below Ravello. Visitors are sure to admire sweeping vistas of the Bay of Salerno from the huge curved windows in the concert hall. Inside the auditorium, there are two side windows, one of which opens towards the sea, fostering an impression of vast open space. The entrance to the hall is made from an oval platform, which offers a clear view of the whimsical architectural forms of the building. The viewing platform before the hall serves as an example of modern architectural problem-solving. The auditorium is constructed in a way to blend in with the natural terrain. Both the hall's foyer and the orchestral area give the impression of floating structures. The building's curves resemble the bends of a mandolin, an Italian musical instrument, while the side of the building opposite the entrance brings to mind the helmet of a medieval knight.