National Forum of Music near completion [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

Better sound, a view of the Opera House and a large car park

The National Forum of Music has already obtained its occupancy permit, and both administrative staff and several NFM affiliated ensembles are now moving in, including the Symphonic Orchestra and the Leopoldinum Orchestra. The building offers a lot of space, especially for the performers. A massive 100-people orchestra will no longer struggle in a cramped space to render grand symphonic works while listeners will no longer need to fight for the seats at the back so as not to be blown away by a shock wave of sound. Additionally, the audience will no longer queue for a cake or a cup of coffee.

The NFM has several spots serving food or drink, one of them being particularly attractive, as it commands a view on Plac Wolności, the Opera House and the Monopol Hotel. A massive car park with a capacity of 700 vehicles gives an edge to the building. You will be able to enter the Forum through ul Krupnicza and ul Zamkowa, and leave it through ul Zamkowa and ul Modrzejewskiej (you join the traffic heading towards the Opera).

2.5 thousand listeners at the NFM

The artists are now leaving a humble building with a concert hall for 400 listeners for a massive facility which is avble to accept up to 2.5 listeners in four different concert halls (1820, 460 and 2 times 260 respectively). Those who come to enjoy their Beethoven have no chance to realise that a techno gig is going on right next door.

The building's design provides for four independent concert halls as four independent entities serving four different kinds of music: symphonic music, chamber music, jazz and techno with some really heavy sound as well. Its acoustics is designed to perfection, which is the best evidence that the concert hall is at the top of its game.

Experts tune the hall

World-class specialists have been contracted to tune the NFM's main concert hall, which just goes to show that this massive venue is now one of the best of its kind in Poland and elsewhere in Europe. Tateo Nakajima from Arup, who had a hand in renovating the legendary Salle Pleyel in Paris (where Chopin himself used to perform), is soon coming to Wroclaw to help tune the hall. So is doing John Meyer, head of the legendary Meyer Sound, to make sure that massive speakers distributed around the hall are tuned to perfection.

Perfect sound box

Several factors are key in shaping the acoustics of the NFM's main concert hall. These include special acoustic chambers with gates (to amplify or reflect the sound), curtains and a Canopy, a special acoustic ceiling made of plaster components (it can be lifted or lowered when necessary). A massive control station to operate both lighting and the Canopy is located just above the hall. However, box-in-box technology is just as important, since it makes possible to insulate the concert hall's interiors against the hustle and bustle of the city (with special vibration insulators). The listeners will be completely safeguarded against the noise of the city and the vibrations created by hundreds of the vehicles driving in the area. The NFM's corridors will be just as quiet (insulated with double-paned windows).

Like a musical instrument

The orchestra in the main concert hall is not the only ensemble to play on 4 September. The whole building is going to serve as one big instrument. Those who enter it are in for a huge surprise. The glass-pane doors open onto a vast staircase and a gigantic wall made of black corian, which is an incredibly elegant acrylic stone. The wall is set against white balconies. This is no accident. The colours are redolent of a piano. Its interiors conceal more musical allusions of this kind. The entire building is covered in chic (and expensive) wooden veneer, which is redolent of the winds, while the elevation in its selected parts (close to the moat) is also covered in gilded metal sheets, a detail redolent of the brass. The ornaments decorating both the elevation and the interior are a real treat for designers. The building stands a real chance to become a real Central European landmark. And this is not only due to its awe-inspiring acoustics.

The NFM opens on 4 September. If you wish to find out more about the highlights of the 2015/2016 season, please click here.</p