Philharmonic improved the acoustics of Arnold Kats State Concert Hall up to the level of the best European halls
During the summer Novosibirsk Philharmonic held a third phase of works to improve the acoustics of Arnold Kats State Concert Hall. According to experts, now in the proper setting the main Philharmonic’s concert hall may sound at the level of the best European halls. To this moment the key collective of Philharmonic Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra experienced improved acoustics. From 24 August to 6 September, the collective conducted by Mikhail Granovsky is recording three Tchaikovsky’s ballets for the Korean troupe Universal Ballet.
The recording of music to Tchaikovsky’s ballets became the first test of the new acoustic conditions of Arnold Kats State Concert Hall: during the summer31 acoustic panels (13 - on the front edge of the stage, 18 - on the first rows of the orchestra) were installed on the ceiling.
“Works to improve the acoustics were made step by step, totally for this period of time 88 acoustic panels were installed in the hall. The first were established in March 2015, before the second Trans-Siberian Art Festival. Then 25 acoustic panels appeared above the stage and 32 cell panels on the stage. The next phase of work took place in summer of 2015, six acoustic curtains then were installed in the hall, - said Tatiana Lyudmilina, general director of Novosibirsk State Philharmonic Society - The last phase of work technically was particularly difficult because we have penetrated “the inner sanctum” - bearing structures. A special team of climbers was engaged for this work.
The Director General emphasized that all efforts to improve the acoustics were taken by Philharmonic on its own and at its own expense.
Visually the hall has not changed, but up to acoustics it has dramatically. When there were no boards, the hall was buzzing and there were a lot of extra sounds that disturbed both artists and audience - said Paul Lavrenenkov, Chief of sound maintenance, recording and Internet broadcast of Moscow State Academic Philharmonic, chief sound engineer of Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, as well as the first sound engineer in the history of Russia whose work has been nominated for Grammy, - Now the sound of the orchestra became clear, there were string players, brass musicians were also on the stage, but did not extinguish all - and string players and spectators, and the maid behind the doors. And so the balance has turned out. The hall is made in such a way that it can be adjusted to change the position of the panels and to select a specific part of the stage. We can say that this season the Philharmonic listeners will hear the new hall. A huge step is passed, now Arnold Kats State Concert Hall is able to sound like the best concert halls of the world”.
Currently, Pavel Lavrenenkov works in Novosibirsk on the recording of the music of Tchaikovsky's ballets, which Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra is leading being conducted by Mikhail Granovsky. Choreographer of Universal Ballet Liu Bingksian also takes part in this work.
In February 2015 Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Granovsky has recorded music for the ballet The Love of Chunhyang, which premiered in the same year in Seoul. Universal Ballet exists for about 30 years and is one of the two largest ballet companies in Seoul. Mikhail Granovsky cooperates with Korean ballet troupe for two years.
“The first record we made for Universal Ballet with Orchestra had a great success, so they once again contacted me and Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra - says conductor Mikhail Granovsky, - The complexity of work lies in the fact that we have to record three Tchaikovsky's ballet in the rates, which are needed for choreography troupe, which are different from canonical representations”.
Total orchestra will recorded about 300 minutes of music. The conductor said that the orchestra's interested in performing unusual for it repertoire. "I love musicians who discover new heights of professionalism. To increase the level of the orchestra is always helpful. For me, Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra is the example of perfect intonation and consistency, it’s a wide-eyed-open look at something new", - said Mikhail Granovsky.
Novosibirsk citizens may estimate new quality of acoustic on 8th September: this day Novosibirsk Philharmonic opens its 80th concert season. Carl’s Orff scenic cantata “Carmina Burana” will be performed by Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra, Novosibirsk Choir Chapel (artistic director is Igor Yudin), Choir of Children's Music School № 2. Soloists are Tatiana Kostina (soprano), Vyacheslav Vorobyev (tenor, Moscow), Pawel Jankowski (baritone). Conductor is Gintaras Rinkevicius, artistic director and chief conductor of Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra.