Article by Alex Davydovich

Located in Sant Pere district, Palau De La Musica is one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks of Barcelona, Spain. It was built between 1905 and 1908 by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner (OBM).  The modernist building is designed around a central metal structure covered in glass, which exploits natural light to make the make Domènech i Montaner’s masterpiece into  a magical music box which brings together all the decorative arts: sculpture, mosaic, stained glass and ironwork.

The Concert Auditorium – one of the most distinctive in the world – is for more than hundred years the privileged setting for the musical life, both national and international, of the city of Barcelona. It has hosted world premieres and it is a landmark of symphonic and choral music. (1)

The Palau offers more than a 100 season concerts throughout the year. Such pianists as Valentina Lisitsa (MGBH), Benjamin Grosvenor (MGBH), Philip Glass (MGBH), Anton Bagatov (MGBH), Maki Namekawa (MGBH), Nelson Goerner (MGBH), Joaquín Achúcarro (MGBH), Seong-Jin Cho (MGBH), Daniel Ligorio (MGBH), Juan Perez Floristan (MGBH), Martina Filjak (MGBH), Evgeny Konnov (MGBH), and others are to be greeted by the audience during this season.

Along with its main concert hall, Palau has two other venues for the artistic life of the institution. One is the Petit Palau, a modern auditorium that opened in 2004. Ideal for chamber music or small-format concerts and offers excellent acoustics and high-tech audio-visual equipment. (2)

Another little jem of the Palau de la Música is the Sala d’Assaig de l’Orfeó Català, the Orfeó Català Rehearsal Room. A cosy, intimate venue for small-format concerts, talks, and presentations. The first stone of the Palau, laid in 1905, is here. (3)

The great Sala Lluís Millet, or Lluís Millet Hall, a meeting place in intermissions dedicated to Maestro Millet, the founder of the Orfeó Català. The hall is two stories high, with great stained glass windows decorated with floral designs, giving an extraordinary effect. Even more exceptional is the balcony which can be seen through these windows, with its double colonnade decorated with distinctive colors and ornamentation. (4)

The Mirador Restaurant, located at the top of the Plaza del Palau and overlooking the front, offers a superb view of the Art Nouveau façade by Domènech i Montaner. (6)

The restaurant offers only service on request for groups.

Many companies and individuals choose the Palace of Catalan Music to celebrate all kinds of cultural, social and business events.

References:

(1) https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/the-concert-auditorium_550481

(2) https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/petit-palau_550514 

(3) https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/rehearsal-hall-of-the-orfeo-catala_550561

(4) https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/lluis-millet-hall_550575