NFM: tuning of auditorium continues [PHOTO/VIDEO]

Orchestra under Benjamin Shwartz rehearses in the big concert hall, which can house 1 820 people. The musicians play Claude Debussy's 'La Mer' ('The Sea'), a three-part symphonic composition. Based on its sound, the chief acoustician - Tateo Nakajima with Arup's acoustic adjusts the appropriate arrangement of the gates of the acoustic chambers and the desired height of the ceilings for the sound to carry the best.

'We are committed to a full, spatial sound,' explains Andrzej Kosendiak. 'One that reflects and returns to the listener in one second. The more internal reflections there are, the more we feel that the sound is fuller, more beautiful. Of course, it must resound in a timely manner, to avoid chaos. We also care for selective sound, so the individual instruments can be heard, but so as not to sound alongside the orchestra. The quietly playing harp or flute should be well heard, and not just louder instruments.'

NFM's main auditorium is tuned by appropriately setting the gates of the acoustic chambers, serving to reinforce and reflect the sound, as well as curtains and the acoustic ceiling that can be raised or lowered. The acoustics is also affected by the construction materials used, or even the proper curvature of the balconies, selected yet at the design phase. 'The proportions of the interior also are important for the sound,' points out Andrzej Kosendiak.

'We are testing the auditorium with the audience, hence the trial concerts. It is obvious that with the audience the acoustics changes, because people suppress sounds,' laughs director of the NFM. 'We are trying different room settings for different types of music: symphonic, chamber, choral, jazz, pop,' lists Andrzej Kosendiak. 'So as the best settings are selected before the official opening.'

Also, the 'box in box' technology plays an important role, blocking the street noise and vibrations of passing cars and trams thanks to special anti-vibration.

'Although it is not yet open, the NFM has been alive already. The musicians are now practising, as are singers under the baton of Agnieszka Frankow-Zelazny. We will prepare, so that everything is fine tuned at the opening. We hope that the excellent sound of the NFM will make its auditorium famous all over the world,' adds Kosendiak.

Great acoustics is also a challenge for the audience. They will have to be more disciplined, because every whisper, rustling or cough will be better heard by others. After all, nobody likes to be disturbed while listening to the music.