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Philharmonic Hall


Philharmonic Hall
Photo Information
Copyright: Nigel Smith (Nigel_Smith) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 37 N: 176] (773)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-28
Categories: Architecture
Exposure: f/4, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-30 14:04
Viewed: 394
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Philharmonic Hall Liverpool is one of my favourite places. I spend a great deal of time here, listening to some of the finest music-making in Europe.

The Liverpool Philharmonic Society was founded in 1840 and in 1849 a superb concert hall was built by John Cunningham on Hope Street. Late on 5th July 1933 a fire broke out and destroyed the building, but the society were not to be outdone, and commissioned local architect Herbert Rowse to design a new hall.

Rowse was already making a name for himself, and the building embodies a number of his characteristics of style. The new hall was opened on 19th June 1939 and soon gained a reputation for excellence. Built in the then very popular Art Deco style, it echoed the design of the great picture palaces. A rising cinema screen was incorporated into the stage and this screen, now the only surviving example of its type in the world, is still used regularly for a classic film series.

While the exterior of the hall comprises sheer faces of handmade brick, with almost austere decoration, the interior is quite a different matter. Everything in sight was under the control of the architect and his team, from the specially woven carpets to the light fittings and door furniture. The walls are decorated with plaster relief panels by Edmund Thompson, a long-time collaborator of Rowse. The most famous of these are two panels depicting mythical figures in the grand foyer bar and six colossal panels depicting the muses, in the form of female nudes with musical instruments, which adorn the side walls of the auditorium. Etched glass decoration to doors and windows is by Hector Whistler.

Extensive refurbishment was carried out from 1993-95, restoring the hall to its original grandeur while adding facilities to enable it to be used for a wider variety of purposes. It is now in use nearly every day of the year.

The hall is home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, who perform well over 40 concerts a year in the venue, now under the direction of principal conductor Vasily Petrenko.

This shot was taken on a sunny July day in 2006. I have corrected perspective and adjusted saturation and contrast prior to resizing for TL.

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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Nigel! INteresting building. Interesting texture. Good perspective. Good take. Best regards!

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