Gothenburg Concert Hall
Encyclopedia
Gothenburg Concert Hall is located in Gothenburg, Sweden and was built in 1935. The architect for the facility was Nils Einar Ericsson, a major advocate of Functionalism
. However, the Concert Hall has a Neo-Classical
exterior look, due to the surrounding area at Götaplatsen
where the building is placed - the Art Museum and the City Theatre
are solid classically designed buildings as well, and were built before the Concert Hall. In contrast to the exterior, the Concert Hall's interior is modernistic.
The main auditorium's plain shaped walls are clad in yellowish-red maple veneer and there are 1,300 seats. There is also a smaller concert hall, Stenhammarsalen, for chamber concerts. The acoustic qualities of Gothenburg Concert Hall have given it a reputation well outside the Swedish borders; Deutsche Grammophon
has used the Concert Hall as a studio for a number of records, for example.
A number of progressive rock
bands (among others Yes
and Roxy Music
) have also performed there.
The Concert Hall is the home stage of the Gothenburg Symphony.
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
. However, the Concert Hall has a Neo-Classical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
exterior look, due to the surrounding area at Götaplatsen
Götaplatsen
Götaplatsen is a public square in Gothenburg, Sweden, at the southern end of Kungsportsavenyn , the city's main street...
where the building is placed - the Art Museum and the City Theatre
Gothenburg City Theatre
Gothenburg City Theatre opened in 1934 at Götaplatsen square in Gothenburg, Sweden. The theatre was drawn by Carl Bergsten who gave the exterior a Neo-Classical look with a touch of Streamline Moderne. The critics thought it to be a too old-fashioned building – the International Style had had a big...
are solid classically designed buildings as well, and were built before the Concert Hall. In contrast to the exterior, the Concert Hall's interior is modernistic.
The main auditorium's plain shaped walls are clad in yellowish-red maple veneer and there are 1,300 seats. There is also a smaller concert hall, Stenhammarsalen, for chamber concerts. The acoustic qualities of Gothenburg Concert Hall have given it a reputation well outside the Swedish borders; Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label...
has used the Concert Hall as a studio for a number of records, for example.
A number of progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
bands (among others Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
) have also performed there.
The Concert Hall is the home stage of the Gothenburg Symphony.