The Concert Building at the end of Museumplein, at Concertgebouwplein 2 6, was completed in 1888 to a neo Renaissance design by AL van Gendt. In spite of his limited musical knowledge, he managed to give the Grote Zaal (Great Hall) nearperfect acoustics that are the envy of concert hall designers worldwide.
The Concertgebouw attracts some 800,000 visitors a year, making it the busiest concert hall in the world. The best conductors and soloists consider it an honour to perform here
a far cry from the 1870s, when Brahms tried to knock the musicians in the Felix Meritis building into shape and had to admit they were lovely people but lousy musicians. Under the 50 year guidance of composer and conductor Willem Mengelberg (1871 195 1), the Concertgebouw Orchestra (with the epithet 'Royal' since 1988) developed into one of the world's finest orchestras.
In the 1980s the Concertgebouw threatened to collapse because its 2000 wooden piles were rotting. Thanks to new technology the piles made way for a concrete
foundation, and the building was thoroughly restored to mark its 100th anniversary. The architect Pi de Bruin added a glass foyer along the south side that most people hate though everyone agrees it's effective.
The Grote Zaal seats 2000 people and is used for concerts. Recitals take place in the 19x I 5m Kleine Zaal (Small Hall), a replica of the hall in the Felix Meritis building.
Tickets are available on Ir 671 83 45 daily between 10 am and 5 pm, or at the door till 7 pm (after 7 pm you can only get tickets for that evening's performance). The VVV and Amsterdam Uitburo also sell tickets. For free lunch time concerts, turn up on Wednesday at 12.30 pm.
The Concert Building at the end of Museumplein, at Concertgebouwplein 2 6, was completed in 1888 to a neo Renaissance design by AL van Gendt. In spite of his limited musical knowledge, he managed to give the Grote Zaal (Great Hall) nearperfect acoustics that are the envy of concert hall designers worldwide.
