Steinway Hall

Additional Information

Comment:
AR: NNYMZ 11/22/66, pp. 248-49 The Steinway Hall and its acoustics. The frontal wall on the side of the orchestra at 15th street is unusually strong, without any windows, and in one cement casting in order to enclose the inner “pillar of air” as tightly as possible. In addition, the rooftop was unusually sturdily built with densely arranged heavy slates. On the inside of the building, the ceiling is made out of light, dried wood. This extraordinary tight enclosure of the air is considered the main requirement for good acoustics. The air inside the hall will not be able to escape so even the softest sound can be heard. Another means to improve acoustics was the positioning of the organ in one corner and the 19 feet ascending singer platform in the other corner. That way, the sound waves from the stage are more effectively concentrated. One of the greatest dangers for square music halls is the echo that is created when an opposing wall has more than 56 feet distance, because the reflected sound wave is delayed a ninth of a second. The Steinway Hall’s wall was 123 feet away. The risk of an echo was avoided by two semi-circular galleries on the wall with 14 rows of cushioned folded seats which absorb the sound and keep it from traveling backwards.

The hall is 73 feet wide (NYSZ says 75 feet, see 11/01/66), 123 feet long and 42 feet high and seats 3000 people (NYSZ says 2500 people). The performers have a comfortable adjoining building with rooms to relax.

The ventilation is excellent and also the lighting, designed by the gentlemen De Fries from London, which is not at all heat-producing. The interior design, with its boldly designed galleries, gives the impression of an opera house without giving up the simplicity of a concert hall. The highly comfortable and elegant seats are covered with red leather.

Opening Date:
0 1866

Closing Date:
0 1890

Capacity:
2500-3000

Record Information

Status:

Last Updated:
11 August 2016