Riga Concert Hall project

The New Three Brothers

Especially Riga Concert Hall in last weeks has become one of the most topical themes of discussions in Latvia - it is discussed by families at the dinner table and at home parties, it is discussed at higher school lecture-rooms and work rooms of politicians. This intention hasreceived many comments andviewpoints and if those, which can be characterized as personal nature notes, are separated, then it should be concluded that also some rational issues have crystallized, which are significant to the society


By MARGITA ZALITE
from Riga, LATVIA


Riga, the capital of Latvia, in next few decades is going to build 3 big culture buildings at the same time: building of the National Library of Latvia, Acoustic Concert Hall and Museum of Contemporary Art. These are the biggest investment projects of the Government in culture ever. Latvians call them "the New Three Brothers" by analogy with ancient Three Brother Buildings in oldtown of Riga.

All of these buildings are very discussed, if there is a need for them, and how Latvians can pay for them. But especially Riga Concert Hall in last weeks has become one of the most topical themes of discussions in Latvia - it is discussed by families at the dinner table and at home parties, it is discussed at higher school lecture-rooms and work rooms of politicians. The intention to builda Riga Concert Hall has received many comments and viewpoints and if those, which can be characterized as personal nature notes, are separated, then it should be concluded that also some rational issues have crystallized, which are significant to the society.

Is the Concert Hall a first necessity "item"?

Of course, if we look at it from the viewpoint of the human needs theory, attendances of concerts certainly do not belong to that category of "goods", which satisfy the human need for food or dwelling. However, when watching the Latvian society, the growing real estate and consumption prices, the high level of attendance of public events, etc., it should be admitted that the situation is not that sad, as it is sometimes marked. Moreover, there is a substantial reason to consider that in case we do not build the concert hall during the current period of economic growth, then Riga and Latvia will not get a modern concert hall for very long.

If we speak about Latvia's best musicians and their talent lovers, then the Riga Concert Hall and its provided possibilities is the first necessity item. Firstly, already because Riga in all of its more than 800 years of existence has not built any especially concerts-oriented building. Currently the concerts in Riga are held in the BigGuild, Latvia University Big Hall, Latvian Music Academy's Big Hall, Latvian National Opera, the Congress House and other places, however these places have just been adapted to the concerts and each of them has some disadvantages - either improper acoustics, or too little space, etc. But Upsala and Skonto Halls, in the same way as Arena Riga and other sport halls in their essence do not suit for symphonic music concerts.

In the comments about the concert hall sometimes we hear an opinion that no one would be going there as already now symphonic music concerts in the Big Guild are hardly attended. It is the same as it was spoken before construction of Arena Riga - who needs it, for example, no one anymore goes to basketball games; however, when it appeared that Arena Riga has actually marked a rebirth of basketball mass attendance, the previous skeptics do not appear anymore. In addition, the world experience evidences that when building a new, modern concert hall, attendance of serious music concerts materially increases. Upon growth of general life level, it gets more important for the people, in what environment they are.



Looking at the time frame, simultaneous construction will not happen - the Library building will be started already now, but the Concert Hall currently is only a developed project and its real construction will be started no earlier than a year and a half or two years. Thereby, for example, builders will still be at the concert hall when the library will already have the premises for readers.

Could it be possible to build 10 concert halls in the whole Latvia for this money?

Of course, much depends on the size of the building and requirements (for example, whether it is necessary to constantly accommodate one or several groups in it or only the premises for events should be provided), however it should be admitted that also the regional concert hall "Lielais dzintars" in Liepaja will cost about 25 million lats, which is only a little less than the costs expected for the Riga Concert Hall.

However, the most essential is - it is possible to build a building for 3 million and call it a concert hall, yet there will be no possibility to work out such planning, interior and transformation options, which would provide excellent acoustics. For this money, it is impossible to build an architectonically original, interesting building and a new Riga's symbol, which decorates the city panorama and which can be a pride and a show to the city guests. When speaking about financing, which will be invested in the concert hall project, it is most worth to speak what we gain - new possibilities both for music lovers, as well as forthcoming and existing professional musicians. Still more - the new cultural infrastructure objects will promote the interest of tourism, hotel and conference business representatives about Latvia as a cultural land. It will be a signal to the large investors about Riga as a growing Baltic metropolis. As a result, through taxes paid by other areas it will make our capital city's budget able to solve more and more new infrastructure needs.

Why the building will be black?

Latvians are a superstitious nation. Even if they don't think so. The architect of the Riga Conert Hall have chosen to make a contrast with the "light", information-radiating National Library of Latvia building (which will be build not far from Concert Hall), as well as the background of planned newly erected buildings. The classical black color suits to the concert hall as a building of music cult because the experience to be enjoyed there is mystical and deeply interior. Through darkly toned glasses daylight will come into the premises, the same tone of ceramic material will make the roof of the concert hall visually enjoyable from the side of other skyscrapers. But Latvians are still superstitious, that black color is not the best color for a sacred building like this and this is again a new topic of discussion. In Latvia we say about ourselves - the favorite food of one Latvian is an other Latvian. So, welcome to Riga! Nobody will touch you.