THE ELBPHILHARMONIE IN HAMBURG
There's music in the air
A miracle of sound on the Elbe: the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Rising majestically above the Port of Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall is a glass jewel that combines tradition and modernity. The concert hall, which opened in 2016, has not only established itself as a musical beacon, but also as an architectural landmark and tourist magnet.
From vision to reality: the story of its creation
The idea for the Elbphilharmonie, affectionately known as the ‘Elphi’ by the people of Hamburg, was born in the early 2000s when Hamburg-based project developer Alexander Gérard presented a vision of an extraordinary concert hall to the Senate. Together with the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, a bold design was realised: a modern glass structure was to be built on top of a historic brick warehouse, reminiscent of a crystalline sail or wave. Construction, which began in 2007, was marked by a number of challenges and delays, but finally, the Elbphilharmonie was officially opened in January 2017.
Architecture of superlatives
The architecture of the Elbphilharmonie is breathtaking. The contrast between the massive brick base and the curved glass structure creates a unique tension. The wave-shaped façade, consisting of over 1,000 individual glass elements, reflects the light of the sky and water and gives the building a dynamic, almost weightless appearance. Inside, the Elbphilharmonie impresses with a spectacular plaza that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the harbour. The centrepiece of the building is the Great Hall with its unique ‘vineyard’ architecture, which ensures optimal acoustics.
World stars on the Elbphilharmonie stage
Since its opening, the Elbphilharmonie has hosted numerous world stars of classical music, jazz and pop music. Among the most prominent guests were the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lang Lang. Artists such as Björk and Kraftwerk have also thrilled audiences in the extraordinary concert hall. In addition, the Elbphilharmonie is one of the concert halls of the Reeperbahn Festival, which attracts thousands of music fans to Hamburg every autumn.
More than just music: the Elbphilharmonie as a place of interest
The Elbphilharmonie is much more than just a concert hall. It has become one of Hamburg’s most popular landmarks and an international tourist magnet. Every year, millions of people visit the plaza to admire the architecture and enjoy the panoramic view. The Elbphilharmonie is a place of encounters, culture and enjoyment, and has enriched Hamburg with a top-class attraction. But the Elbphilharmonie is not just a wonderful place for music. It also houses the luxury hotel ‘The Westin’ and 45 private apartments, which are among the most expensive properties in the Hanseatic city. However, the view is also unique.
Contact / connection
- Red Double-Decker
- Stop 2, Am Kaiserkai
- HVV
- Underground: U3 Baumwall
- S-Bahn
- S1, S2, S3 Landungsbrücken
- Address:
- Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
- Platz der deutschen Einheit
- 20457 Hamburg
- Mail: tickets@elbphilharmonie.de
- Internet: https://www.elbphilharmonie.de
- Opening hours of the Plaza: Monday to Sunday 10 am to 11.30 pm