Music

Music in the Erholungshaus

Carolin Sturm

Music in the Erholungshaus has been attracting enthusiastic audiences for 100 years. Why? The main reason is undoubtedly the outstanding musicians and excellent programmes. But it takes more than that to make a successful concert. The whole atmosphere must be “right”, and with its excellent acoustics, the Erholungshaus provides ideal conditions. The rectangular, “shoe-box” shape of the auditorium, its size and the vaulted ceiling create a transparent, warm sound that has been preserved and improved through several structural changes, most recently in 1997. Indeed, the acoustics of the Erholungshaus are so outstanding that artistes have repeatedly expressed the wish to be able to make recordings here. This has led to various record labels, including Sony, Naxos and Dabringshaus & Grimm, using the Erholungshaus as an ideal location for their recordings – in conjunction with our concerts.
Although the Erholungshaus serves all the arts, music has always played a special role. For many years, the Erholungshaus was the only concert hall in Leverkusen. Then in 1969 the Forum was built which, with its more spacious stage and larger seating capacity, was ideally suited to large symphonic concerts. When it comes to small and medium-sized ensembles, piano and chamber music recitals and children’s and special concerts, however, the Erholungshaus is unbeatable. Thanks to the variable concert stage and the acoustic sails, the careful choice ofwood for the panelling and the possibility of erecting a rear wall at various points, the auditorium can be adapted to create the right atmosphere for each concert. Our Erholungshaus makes us the envy ofmany concert organizers and large companies, as many musicians who guest here tell us again and again. They love the auditorium, the stage design, the well-maintained concert grand pianos and also the way they are looked after behind the stage. More than anything else, however, the artistes are overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and receptive audiences. And so it is also thanks to you, our audiences, that music in the Erholungshaus has enjoyed such success.