Efforts to repair the New York Philharmonic’s troubled Lincoln Center home date back to the night it opened in 1962.
In 1976, the space, renamed Avery Fisher Hall in honor of a hefty gift from audio equipment pioneer Avery Fisher, was given a new life by Gut’s renovation and attempted to modify its acoustics. But it didn’t solve the problem. Further refinements were made in the 1990s. The Philharmonic Orchestra attempted to move away completely in 2003 and return to its old home of Carnegie Hall.Planning a new design by Norman Foster Thomas Heatherwick came and went.
Today, the hall has been renamed David Geffen Hall following a $100 million donation from entertainment mogul David Geffen, and will reopen in early October after a $550 million overhaul. Here’s a quick timeline of the long road to the new Hall.
Philharmonic Hall, designed by Max Abramovitz and the first completed part of Lincoln Center, was home to Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic at the White Tie Gala attended by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and other celebrities. Let’s open the curtain.However, in his review the next day, the critics Harold C. Schoenberg The New York Times noted that the orchestral section’s “decisive lack of bass” was exacerbated behind Rosi and Hall, calling it “a high fidelity outfit with bass control outside the circuit”. I am giving an example. ”
September 25, 1962
“We are not going to tear down the hall and rebuild it.”
Leo Veranek, the hall’s sound engineer, told The Times that he was “not entirely happy” with the sound, but believed it would improve with adjustments. We are not going to rebuild it,” the article quotes him as saying. A series of renovations began, but by 1974, visiting ensembles, including the Boston Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra, decided to return to Carnegie Hall.
Reopening of David Geffen Hall
The infamous New York Philharmonic Orchestra auditorium at Lincoln Center has undergone a $550 million renovation.
1975
gut the hole and start over
Lincoln Center has announced plans to demolish what is now called Avery Fisher Hall and completely rebuild it under the supervision of acoustician Cyril M. Harris and architect Philip Johnson. “There was no point in taking half-measures with Hall,” says Fisher. ‘I needed a fresh start’
Avery Fisher Hall has reopened with good early reviews. This time, Schoenberg wrote to The Times: However, despite his early enthusiasm, he notes that the bass, although improved, “tends to be a little weaker”.
1992
Musicians still can’t hear each other
Musicians complain that they can’t hear each other on stage, so acoustic reflectors (sometimes called “bongos” because of their curved appearance) are placed on walls and ceilings. Allan Kozinn wrote in his The Times: The 1976 renovation was seen as an improvement, but critics continued to complain of an overly bright brass sound and weak bass. ”
2003
Philharmonic Orchestra About to Leave Lincoln Center
The Philharmonic Orchestra surprised Lincoln Center by announcing they were planning to leave Avery Fisher and return to Carnegie Hall. The announcement throws plans for the center’s redevelopment into turmoil. new team). However, a plan that also called for a merger of the Philharmonic Orchestra and Carnegie proved impracticable and was soon abandoned.
Year 2005
Norman Foster tapped but nothing happens
The Philharmonic board of directors has chosen architect Norman Foster to redesign the hall, but plans to come to a dead end.
March 4, 2015
David Geffen donates $100 million
David Geffen donated $100 million to renovate the hall and was named after him after the Fisher family agreed to give up their naming rights in exchange for several incentives, including $15 million .
December 9, 2015
A brief introduction to the Heatherwick Studio design team
Heatherwick Studio in London, led by Thomas Heatherwick, and Diamond Schmitt Architects in Toronto have been selected to redesign the interior of David Geffen Hall. They are part of acoustic design firm Akustiks and theater design firm Fisher Dachs.
2017
return to the beginning
Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra are scrapping current plans and starting over, saying the proposal would be too complicated and too costly to kick the orchestra out of the hall for three seasons.
2019
Planning and design team at last
To make the hall more intimate, a new $550 million plan was unveiled to reduce over 500 seats and reduce capacity from 2,738 to 2,200. They also need to add seating behind the stage, fix the acoustics, rethink public spaces, and add restrooms. Heatherwick Studios is now made up of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (lobby and other public spaces) I’m out of the design team that’s in charge. Diamond Schmidt Architects (auditory); Akustiks (acoustics); Fisher Dax Associates (theater design). The hall is scheduled to open in March 2024.
2021
Pandemic shutdown accelerates construction
The pandemic, which has halted live performances, allows the Philharmonic and Lincoln Center to accelerate construction schedules and delay reopening this fall. His orchestral wanderings therefore lasted only one season, playing at Alice Tully Hall and the Rose Theatre, as well as making a foray into Carnegie Hall.
2022
David Geffen Hall reopens
The new hall, which has been built and reworked over the years, will be completed this month. On October 8th, he will have two concerts and the world premiere of a new work commissioned by Lincoln Center for the occasion. Etienne Charles’ San Juan Hill depicts a vibrant neighborhood demolished to make way for Lincoln Center. Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, New York Philharmonic, conducted by Jaap van Zweden.ticket is Select payment method Basic.