Classical Music entertainment in Europe
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Tchaikovsky Concert Hall
Home to the famous State Philharmonic (Moskovsky Gosudarstvenny Akademichesky Filharmonia), the capital’s oldest symphony orchestra, the concert hall was established in 1921. It’s a huge auditorium, with seating for 1600 people. This is where you can expect to hear the Russian classics such as Stravinsky, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich, as well as other European favourites.
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De Doelen
Home venue of the renowned Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, a sumptuous concert centre that dates from 1935 and seats 1300.
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Philharmonia
Concerts here range from classical symphonies to Dixieland jazz. Ticket prices are between R100 and R450.
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Dr Anton Philipszaal
Home to the Residentie Orkest, Den Haag’s classical symphony orchestra.
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Mariinsky Concert Hall
In April 2007, Mariinsky director Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra opened the new Mariinsky Concert Hall – just in time for the annual Stars of White Nights Festival. The new building is a magnificent multifaceted creation. It preserves the historic brick façade of the set and scenery warehouse that previously stood on this spot facing ul Pisareva, but the modern main entrance, facing ul Dekabristov, is all tinted glass and angular lines, hardly hinting at the beautiful old building behind. The state-of-the-art facility was financed primarily by private investors, including Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.
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Accademia di Santa Cecilia
Rome’s major classical-music organisation, the Accademia di Santa Cecilia dates back to the 16th century when it was founded by, among others, the Renaissance composer Palestrina. The academy’s programme includes a world-class symphonic season – featuring superstar guest conductors – and short festivals dedicated to single composers. The inhouse orchestra is directed by London-born Italian Antonio Pappano, who is also musical director of London’s Royal Opera House.
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Shostakovich Philharmonia
Under the artistic direction of world-famous conductor Yury Temirkanov, the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra represents the finest in orchestral music. The Bolshoy Zal on pl Iskusstv is the venue for a full program of symphonic performances, while the nearby Maly Zal hosts smaller ensembles. Both venues are used for numerous music festivals, including the superb Early Music Festival. The philharmonic is closed in July and August.
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Centre de Congrès Auditorium
The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (1863; www.opmc.mc) often plays at the Auditorium Rainier III inside the Centre de Congrès Auditorium . In July and August its venue shifts to the star-topped Cour d'Honneur (Courtyard of Honour) at the Palais Princier. Tickets (around €18 to around €80) are sold at the Atrium du Casino in the casino. They are like gold dust.
Jacket and tie for men is obligatory at all performances.
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Moscow International House Of Music
This graceful, modern, glass building has three halls, including Svetlanov Hall, which holds the largest organ in Russia. Needless to say, organ concerts held here are impressive. This is the usual venue for performances by the National Philharmonic of Russia (www.nfor.ru), a privately financed and highly lauded classical-music organisation. Founded in 1991, the symphony is directed and conducted by the esteemed Vladimir Spivakov.
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Harty Room
Queen's University's School of Music (www.music.qub.ac.uk) stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room, and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (Cloreen Park), with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall (University Rd). You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra often plays at the Auditorium Rainier III inside the Centre de Congrès Auditorium. In July and August its venue shifts to the star-topped Cour d'Honneur (Courtyard of Honour) at the Palais Princier. Tickets are sold at the Atrium du Casino in the casino. They are like gold dust.
Jacket and tie for men is obligatory at all performances.
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Tivoli Koncertsal
This is the venue for symphony orchestra, string quartet and other classical music performances by Danish and international musicians. There’s a ballet festival each season with top international troupes, as well as cabaret performances. It also hosts modern dance performances by such big names as the Alvin Ailey dance troupe. Tickets are sold at the Tivoli Billetcenter.
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Dokkhuset
In an artistically converted former pumping station (look through the glass beneath your feet at the old engines), the Dock House is at once an auditorium (where if it’s the right night you’ll hear experimental jazz or chamber music), restaurant and café-bar. Sip a drink on the jetty or survey the Trondheim scene from its roof terrace.
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Ferenc Liszt Music Academy
A block southeast of Oktogon, what’s usually just called the ‘music academy’ was built in 1907. It attracts students from all over the world and is one of the top venues for concerts. The interior, with large and small concert halls richly embellished with Zsolnay porcelain and frescoes, is worth a look even if you’re not attending a performance.
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Sir William Whitla Hall
Queen's University's School of Music stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall. You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Iceland Symphony Orchestra
The orchestra will eventually move to flashy new premises by the harbour, currently half built. The economic crisis has put a temporary halt to the construction work and planned relocation, so for now the orchestra will remain at Reykjavík University cinema. There are around 60 classical performances per season, normally on Thursday at 7.30pm.
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Queen's University School of Music
Queen's University School of Music stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall. You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Berliner Symphoniker
Founded in 1966, the Berliner Symphoniker has no permanent home and performs mainly in the Berliner Philharmonie and the Konzerthaus. Israeli conductor Lior Shambadal has been the man in charge since 1997. After going bankrupt in 2004 due to state budget cuts, the orchestra is now in private hands.
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Béla Bartók Concert Hall
Szombathely has devoted a lot of attention to music ever since Bishop Szily engaged the services of full-time musicians to perform at church functions - not services. One important venue is the Béla Bartók Concert Hall, attached to the former synagogue, where the Savaria Symphony Orchestra performs throughout the year.
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Centro di Musica Antica Pietà de’ Turchini
Classical-music buffs are in for a treat at this beautiful deconsecrated church. Home to the historic Orchestra Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini, it’s an evocative setting for concerts of mostly 17th- and 18th-century Neapolitan works. Tickets cost about €10, and upcoming concerts are listed on the venue’s website.
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Accademia Filarmonica Romana
The academy was founded in 1821 and its members have included Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi. It still attracts star performers, and its varied programme concentrates on classical and chamber music, but also includes opera, ballet and multimedia events. Concerts are held at the Teatro Olimpico.
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Auditorium Conciliazione
Prior to the advent of the Auditorium Parco della Musica, this was Rome’s premier classical music venue, and this recently renovated auditorium is still one to watch, hosting concerts, dance performances (featuring stars such as Baryshnikov) and film screenings. Specialist music bookshop on site.
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Filharmonia Narodowa
Home of the world-famous National Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir of Poland, founded in 1901, this venue has a concert hall (enter from ul Sienkiewicza 10) and a chamber-music hall (enter from ul Moniuszki 5), both of which stage regular concerts. The box office entrance is on ul Sienkiewicza.
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Philharmonic
When the much-revered Iaşi State Philharmonic Orchestra is in town its concerts are massively popular; it performs 200 concerts per season, across Romania and abroad. Concerts of some kind are usually held on Friday nights. Tickets start at €2 with 50% student discounts.
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Philharmonic Hall
This musical institution holds concerts at least weekly, performed by the house symphony orchestra, often featuring visiting artists. Poznań also has Poland’s best boys’ choir, the Poznańskie Słowiki (Poznań Nightingales), who can be heard here.
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