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Walt Disney Concert Hall - December 2004 - page 3 Although the Walt Disney Concert Hall was designed as an acoustic theater, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has realized the incredible versatility of this space and has now expanded the fare to feature a select number of jazz and world music shows. This means that some form of speakers need to be added to the system on certain occasions, such as the recent Brian Wilson concert that was held in the hall. I’ve been to my fair share of concerts and have seen the massive black stack of speakers that hang over the stage, but in an environment like this, that is overkill. For concerts that feature electronic instruments, a pair of speakers are brought in that would look right at home in the living room of an audiophile with a huge room and an even bigger pocketbook. Made by ATC, these two stacks of full-range speakers benefit by being placed in an environment that is acoustically optimal. The walls of the theater, just like the exterior, lack right angles and flat shapes. The back of the hall behind the stage is made of the same wood as the sidewalls and the roof but has different shape and design. Some of the walls of the hall have fabric on them that are covered by small 1x1 wood squares that act as diffusers. The combination of reflective and absorptive materials used in the hall makes for a room that is a perfect balance. An overly reflective or “live” room may be good for a basketball game and an overly absorptive room is great for practicing drums, but it doesn’t make for a good concert experience. The combination of the stunning acoustic properties of the room and the futuristic look of the building was the perfect combination for Warner Bros. Films to premiere the final “Matrix” film, “The Matrix Revolutions.” With a screen that stretched across nearly the entire front of the theater stage, we can only kick ourselves that we weren’t able to view this film in such an optimal acoustic setting. The event was a huge success and surely more film companies will tap the Walt Disney Concert Hall to use for high-profile film premieres. The L.A. Philharmonic already had an amazing spring/summer home in the legendary Hollywood Bowl and, with the creation of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, there is yet another reason for concertgoers to head out to hear some classical music during the fall and winter seasons. From the moment you see this shining beacon on the Los Angeles skyline to the time when the house lights finally come up at the end of a performance, the Walt Disney Concert Hall provides a world-class entertainment experience. The architecture, acoustics and energy of the hall take people away from the cares of the outside world for a few hours while they enjoy the performances. Relevant to your theater at home are lessons in acoustics, lighting, seating, materials, colors and out-of-the-box shapes. While even the wealthiest home theater enthusiasts will likely never have the budget or scope of the Disney Hall, there are some striking points to be learned from this venue. An audiophile might suggest that the most important is the sound of live music, but another perspective is the mass coordination of designers, experts and laborers to create something grand. On a smaller scale, with similar attention to details that range from miniature to macro, you too can have a theater that looks the part of a Hollywood starlet and sings like a virtuoso playing Paganini on a Stradivarius violin To learn more about the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The L.A. Philharmonic visit: WWW.LaPhil.com Walt Disney Concert Hall

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