World’s newest concert hall is in most polluted city
mainThe new 1,800-seat concert hall of NOSPR (National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra) opened last night in Katowice (the seat of NOSPR) with Brahms’ first piano concerto (soloist: Krystian Zimerman), Beethoven’s ninth symphony and music by Polish composers Penderecki, Kilar and Górecki conducted by Alexander Liebreich.
Gorecki, who lived all his life n Katowice, complained incessantly of its foul air and general post-War pollution. Let’s hope they’re cleaning it up.
Wonderful for Poland who can spend their money on this rather than on social benefits to people like Anjem Choudary!
I hope the acoustics are ok. Pictures show a promisingly shoebox-like shape to the interior. It would be a shame to have spent all that money and end up with sub-standard sound quality.
I suspect, that with computer modeling acousticians can nearly guarantee appropriate, acceptably good acoustics in a new concert hall. Will the acoustic of this hall be excellent, will it be of uniquely memorable warmth and character? Those are different questions….time will tell.
Acousticians measure the acoustics as perfect, musicians say it’s fantastic and audience is amazed wherever one seats.
I was at the opening concert. The acoustics designed by Nagata Acoustics is superb, exceeding all expectations . The members of the Bayerischen Rundfunk Choir who sang at the concert expressed their enchantment with the acoustics .
The architecture of rare warmth and harmony comes from Tomasz Konior who already designed the famous Music Academy of Katowice concert hall.
Last but not least: The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) is still the best orchestra in Poland – from the times of Grzegorz Fitelberg (Szymanowski’s friend) till now.
They found their home finally they deserved – after almost 80 years.
The ultimate proof is in your hands – please visit the NOSPR concert hall in Katowice, Poland.
I would love to visit this exciting new concert hall and hear the Polish National Radio S.O. if for no other reason that this was the first full sized professional orchestra I ever heard. I was still at school in Australia (1960’s) when they visited and the memory of that night (Brahms lst symphony was the major work) remains with me to this day.
I was in Katowice a couple weeks ago, on a quick jaunt up from Krakow to visit Kilar’s grave which is about 50 feet from Gorecki’s grave. I was not at all put off by the city. In general is came across as much nicer/cleaner than most areas of New York. The concert hall is a gem from the outside. None of the silliness like the Paris Philharmonie. Straightforward modern and functional. And by all accounts it sounds good. Can’t wait to visit again.
I too was at the concert last night. The outside of the building is quite brutal but as the above poster says functional and has a certain beauty. Around the hall are some landscaped gardens – not quite finished – and the new Silesian Museum next door. I understand the very ugly building next door is being knocked down next month. Inside sweeping balconies and the most beautiful light fittings – very sparkly – in the foyer areas. Inside the hall is beautiful. Big seats and very comfortable. Quite a steep rake in the auditorium so excellent sightlines. Not sure what the normal catering situation will be – we were treated to complimentary plonk and a quite sumptuous buffet.
NOSPR are a hidden gem under their Music Director Alexander Liebreich. Top class orchestra that needs to be seen outside of Poland. Quite possibly the best Brahms PC1 with Krystian Zimerman I have ever heard.
I urge anyone to go to Katowice to hear the orchestra and experience the hall.
Can’t tell you about the town… all I saw was airport / hotel / hall!
Acoustics are amazing. What a triumph.
Finally! My congratulation to the orchestra ( really very fine!), and to all people of Katowice. I’ll be there next spring, and can’t wait already!
Big compliments to Poland- in a few last years they have build and opened few new concert halls ( Gdańsk, Szczecin, Lodz, Białystok, Kraków Opera, and with Wroclaw coming next year!) . And now Katowice- Bravo!!
Name another country in Eastern Europe, or just in European Union which did the same In a last 5-7 years!
Gratuluje z calego serca Ojczyźnie moich przodków!
Tak trzymać!!
Katowice is most polluted city? I don’t think so.
Krakow has much bigger problem with smog and pollution.