Simon Rattle and the new London concert hall...

[Ferretfancy]

So is there no longer electronic enhancement?
http://audio-vision.me/2014/03/25/auditorium-acoustics/

I used to think that the electronic enhancement worked rather well, but it developed faults and was eventually removed. Basically, a network of Helmholtz resonators was installed in the ceiling, mostly tuned to lower middle frequencies, each resonator was connected to a microphone. The sound from the microphones was distributed via a series of amplifiers to a similar network of loudspeakers, also in the ceiling. The system was adjusted to give zero gain, and the effect was to distribute extra resonance across the auditorium without being immediately obvious.

Most people are unaware of the extent of the building modifications made during the hall's closure. Voids in both side walls of the auditorium were filled in, and the entire stalls floor removed and replaced at a slightly different angle. This involved breaking up six inches of concrete. At the same time, the ceiling was replaced using heavier plaster. The new slope meant that after removing one row of seats, listeners in the stalls would have more knee room. This went with modifications to the platform, and the installation of a new acoustic canopy.

Does it work? Well, yes, but as I said in an earlier post there are still poor patches, particularly under the overhang of what used to be called the Grand Tier. If you can afford the front stalls there's a pretty good sound.

[Flosshilde]

A new hall would benefit those outside London as I for one will be going there, assuming it's built in my lifetime. 'Benefit' doesn't have to mean just financial benefit.

No, it doesn't, but those people from Gideon & Boris down (up?) who declare that spending a great deal of money on something in London, taking money from teh rest of the UK, benefits the whole country usually do mean a financial benefit, on the dubious proposition that money spent by visitors in London boosts the whole UK economy.

How often would you make the trip from Staffordshire? Do you make a similar number of visits to concerts in London now? I assume that it would mean an overnight stop in London - a pretty expensive deal all round.

[Petrushka]

No, it doesn't, but those people from Gideon & Boris down (up?) who declare that spending a great deal of money on something in London, taking money from teh rest of the UK, benefits the whole country usually do mean a financial benefit, on the dubious proposition that money spent by visitors in London boosts the whole UK economy.

How often would you make the trip from Staffordshire? Do you make a similar number of visits to concerts in London now? I assume that it would mean an overnight stop in London - a pretty expensive deal all round.

It is a pretty expensive deal all round which is why I get so frustrated by coughers and other concert wreckers. So far this year I've been to an LSO concert at the Barbican and BPO concert at the RFH. Upcoming are two Berlin Staatskapelle concerts with Barenboim at the RFH in April then the Proms...

I'd say that 15 or so concerts a year is about my average. By far the biggest expenditure is the overnight stay.

[jean]

But if there were a nearer top-quality hall and ensemble to play in it, wouldn't you go there instead?

[Petrushka]

But if there were a nearer top-quality hall and ensemble to play in it, wouldn't you go there instead?

The CBSO and Symphony Hall in Birmingham are much closer, around 40 miles away, but, and you might not believe this, travelling back after a concert is next to impossible by train and would still require an overnight stay and two days off work or at best two halves. I've not been since 2000 and the centenary performance of the Dream of Gerontius.

It really is easier to go to London with the greater choice of concerts. Less hassle all round and not as great a difference financially as you might think.

[MrGongGong]

Another comment

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/22/new-concert-hall-classical-music-simon-rattle

[Flosshilde]

the disparity between cultural public spending per head in London compared with the rest of the country: £69 in 2012-13 against £4.60

[JFLL]

... spending a great deal of money on something in London, taking money from teh rest of the UK ...,

It's sad that some people can't apparently come to terms with the fact that London is the capital of the U.K., and so will tend, as in other countries, to attract more resources. Spending money anywhere could be called 'taking it away from the rest of the U.K' (though this adopted Londoner for one wouldn't begrudge a lot of money being spent in other places).

[Flosshilde]

will tend, as in other countries, to attract more resources.

"the disparity between cultural public spending per head in London compared with the rest of the country: £69 in 2012-13 against £4.60"

To that extent? It's nothing to do with not coming to terms with anything; it's everything to do with London sucking in disproportionate amounts, & it being justified by claims that it 'benefits the whole country'.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's sad that some people can't apparently come to terms with the fact that London is the capital of the U.K., and so will tend, as in other countries, to attract more resources. Spending money anywhere could be called 'taking it away from the rest of the U.K' (though this adopted Londoner for one wouldn't begrudge a lot of money being spent in other places).

London is the capital only because the Houses of Parliament happen to be there. The resources allocated out of the public purse should not differ per capita from that of the rest of the United Kingdom.

If I were Dictator, I would move parliament to somewhere more central - Skipton would be my choice.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If I were Dictator, I would move parliament to somewhere more central - Skipton would be my choice.

What's Skipton ever done to you to deserve this????"!!!!!






Oh ... the parking! Yes, I see.


But even so, can you really imagine all those emotional inadequates congregating on and spoiling what is a very pleasant market town? Let London keep them - just give the rest of the country a fairer share of the money - and a decent public transport system.

[teamsaint]

What's Skipton ever done to you to deserve this????"!!!!!






Oh ... the parking! Yes, I see.


But even so, can you really imagine all those emotional inadequates congregating on and spoiling what is a very pleasant market town? Let London keep them - just give the rest of the country a fairer share of the money - and a decent public transport system.

just out of interest, any particular groups in mind?

And, on thread , if not on topic, it really is a calamity having folk like Nicky Morgan with their hands on our education system.

[Flosshilde]

Fortunately not on ours.

[teamsaint]

Fortunately not on ours.

good.

[Flosshilde]

Although apparently Nicola Sturgeon, on her charm offensive ( ) in England, is visiting one of the UK's best State schools to get ideas for the Scottish education system.