The construction of a new concert hall in Brno could begin in 2010

Brno - The construction of the Janáček Cultural Centre, which will include a new concert hall in Brno, could start in 2010. Currently, the groundwork for the zoning decision is being prepared, and next year, politicians want to agree on the project's funding. The outcome of the regional elections may also influence the construction preparations, as came out from today's meeting of the academic community, musicians, and politicians.
The call for a new concert hall has been heard in Brno for more than a hundred years. "It is a cultural disgrace for Brno. In the field of music, we will remain a provincial town if we do not have a hall," said today the chairwoman of the Society for the Construction of the Concert Hall, Alena Štěpánková-Veselá. "A new concert hall in Brno is absolutely necessary," added the rector of the Janáček Academy of Musical Arts, Václav Cejpek.
The Brno city hall is working on the project, and a winning proposal has emerged from the architectural competition. "Now we need to obtain a document that states that the building is in order in the context of the historical center, that the volume and height of the construction correspond to the surroundings. Next year, the finances will be a crucial issue," said Deputy Mayor Daniel Rychnovský (KDU-ČSL).
However, the city itself is not able to finance the construction and has so far failed to reach a binding agreement on cooperation with the representatives of the South Moravian Region. The coalition of the People's Party and the Civic Democrats has taken a rather reserved stance towards the project. "The doors to the region are still locked with several bolts. However, without the support of the region, we will not gain the support of the state," admitted Rychnovský. After the elections, the councilors want to reopen negotiations with new representatives from the region.
According to the city hall's plans, the Janáček Cultural Centre could rise on the site of the current parking lot on Veselá Street behind the Internacional hotel. Besides concerts, it is also intended for congress purposes. The city hall plans for a private investor to build underground garages beneath the centre. The construction of the concert and congress hall is estimated to cost 800 million crowns, while the garages will add up to 400 million.
Major classical music concerts in Brno are currently held in the Janáček Theatre or in the Besední House, home of the Brno Philharmonic. However, Besední House does not meet current requirements in terms of capacity or acoustic parameters. While the Janáček Theatre has somewhat better acoustics and is far more spacious, it primarily serves as the venue for the Brno Opera and Ballet, allowing the stage for the philharmonics only a few times per season.
When a Brno resident wants to know what the local philharmonic really sounds like, they often have to travel for a concert in a high-quality hall, joke classical music lovers.
Due to the lack of a concert hall, it can sometimes be difficult to attract top performers to Brno. For example, the Birmingham Philharmonic, one of the best orchestras in Europe, eventually declined an arranged concert in Brno. "The reason was precisely the inadequate environment," recalls former director of the Brno Philharmonic Bohuš Zoubek. The famous pianist Svyatoslav Richter preferred to perform in Velké Meziříčí rather than in Brno.