Building and concert hall

Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ was opened by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix on 15 June 2005. The design by Danish architectural firm 3xN won several awards. In the Grand Hall (‘Grote Zaal’, 725 seats), the acoustics are unprecedented.

The ceiling, walls and floor panels are moveable. This allows for optimal tuning of acoustic properties, such as the reverberation time, prior to each concert. Thanks to the moveable floor and the easy to reposition seats, we can create different auditorium arrangements. The walls around the stage can also be moved, making the stage suitable for both intimate chamber music and orchestras. 

Small Hall (‘Kleine Zaal’)
In addition to the Grand Hall, we also have a Small Hall with 100 seats. Since May 2009, this hall houses the completely renovated Fokker organ.

The Muziekgebouw as an instrument
- an artwork by Paulien Barbas
The Muziekgebouw invited artist Paulien Barbas to create an artwork for its public areas. That resulted in five separate interventions in and around the building. During the process, Barbas collaborated with musicians, as well as woodworkers and metalworkers to produce a surprising environment which includes both sonic and architectural elements. By altering and emphasizing small aspects of the environment, she made sounds become perceptible, making us more aware of our surroundings. This all in musical scale F-sharp, for that is the common denominator of the various interventions.

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