You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
THE HOME<br />
PALAU DE LA MUSICA<br />
CATALANA<br />
In a city famed for the fantastical design<br />
flourishes and fanciful architecture <strong>of</strong><br />
its first son Antoni Gaudi, the Lluis<br />
Domenech I Montaner designed Palau<br />
de la Musica admirably stands its ground.<br />
Located in Barcelona’s central Barri Sant<br />
Pere, and constructed at the turn <strong>of</strong> the<br />
20th century, it is a wondrous example <strong>of</strong><br />
Catalan modernista style.<br />
One only needs to look at the bright<br />
pretty floral mosaics that curl around the<br />
arches <strong>of</strong> the Palau’s ticket window and<br />
climb its ornate columns to be charmed.<br />
Commissioned for the highly influential<br />
Orfeo Catala choral society and funded by<br />
benefactors who supported the group’s<br />
proudly Catalonian cultural movement,<br />
Montaner gave local artisans similar<br />
creative freedom.<br />
Inside the choral connection remains<br />
evident in the busts and sculptures that pay<br />
tribute to composers <strong>of</strong> choral masterpieces<br />
such as Bach, Beethoven and Wagner,<br />
and even Greek mythology. That the<br />
Palau’s 2,200-seat concert hall has hosted<br />
not just the choirs and choral groups it<br />
was intended for but orchestras and jazz<br />
bands is remarkable given the building’s<br />
significant use <strong>of</strong> decorative glass. Designed<br />
by Antoni Rigalt, colourful stained glass<br />
panels set in arches along either side <strong>of</strong><br />
the auditorium and a spectacular inverted<br />
dome skylight that mimics the glorious<br />
golden rays <strong>of</strong> the Spanish sun also<br />
makes it unique to Europe.<br />
TM | MARCH/APRIL <strong>2018</strong><br />
44
Change language