Kerfuffle in Paris

[Lento]

Apparently there is some debate regarding the future use of Salle Pleyel, now that the new concert hall will soon be opening. I wonder if Paris could support classical music at both, as some seem to have their doubts; or maybe the French government is just playing safe with its new creation. Times paywall, I'm afraid.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article4277072.ece

[Nick Armstrong]

Ah - what's the new concert hall? Didn't know about all this....

[vinteuil]

.

I think the main problem is that Parisians don't want to have to go out to the suburbs for their kulchur.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2014/06/13/03006-20140613ARTFIG00361-fausse-note-inattendue-a-la-salle-pleyel.php

[vinteuil]

Ah - what's the new concert hall? Didn't know about all this....

... well, it's only been planned for the last twenty years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philharmonie_de_Paris

.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/arts/international/philharmonie-de-paris-prepares-to-open-amid-controversy.html?_r=1

[Nick Armstrong]

.

I think the main problem is that Parisians don't want to have to go out to the suburbs for their kulchur.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2014/...lle-pleyel.php

Ah...

Yes, I had no idea about this: http://www.philharmoniedeparis.fr/en/

[DublinJimbo]

I must say I was wondering what would happen to the Salle Pleyel when the Philharmonie opens.

I hope to attend some concerts in the new hall in May next year. I'm involved in a group of music lovers which meets every week for a three-hour session of recorded music on CD and DVD. Since 2011 we travel abroad each year to savour the musical life of European cities. This annual adventure began in 2001 with a trip to Paris, and the opening of the new hall is an excellent excuse to return.

[Gordon]

Why a new one when they have Salle Wagram as well, which happens to be just round the corner from Pleyel [see Google maps], still going it would seem

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salle_Wagram

And a concert and recording venue used by EMI/Pathe for many years:

1957 : Carl Schuricht et la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire y enregistrent l’intégrale des symphonies de Beethoven.
1958 : Nuit du Jazz avec Sidney Bechet dont ce sera le dernier concert. Duke Ellington y enregistre «Atone parrallel to Harlem».
1964 : Maria Callas enregistre « Carmen » avec Nicolaï Gedda sous la direction de Georges Prêtre

not to mention Oistrakh/Klemperer in the Brahms concerto.

[Lento]

There is a suggestion (by the now divorced wife of the previous owner) that the Salle was sold too cheaply to the state, and that restrictions have been placed regarding its future use, so as to prevent the new state-funded hall becoming a white elephant.