The Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall (Concert Hall) opened in 2003 as the newest of The Music Center’s four venues. The Concert Hall was conceived when Lillian B. Disney made an initial gift of $50 million to build an additional performance space on Los Angeles County land in honor of her late husband Walt Disney and his dedication to the arts. Home to LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world and provides both visual and aural intimacy through its exterior and interior design.
More than 6,000 panels create the curving stainless steel skin of the Concert Hall’s exterior. Resembling silver sails, the Concert Hall’s design plays off the bowed cornice of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, forging a link between the old and the new.
The use of natural materials and skylights creates a bright and airy interior in the Concert Hall. Gehry’s team visualized the lobby as a transparent and light-filled “living room for the city.” Massive columns within the lobby structure evoke an image of tree trunks. They are clad in vertical grain Douglas fir and serve the functional purpose of housing the lighting, heating and air conditioning systems.
The 2,265-seat auditorium is a concrete box that is structurally independent of the rest of the building. Gehry collaborated with renowned acoustician Dr. Yasuhisa Toyota to design the acoustics. The walls of the auditorium are vertical grain Douglas fir and the floor is red oak. The stage is Alaskan yellow cedar, the same wood often used on the backs of cellos and violas and can be configured to hold larger performing organizations by removing the first rows in Orchestra View. Natural light enhances daytime concerts with a large 36-foot-high rear window and skylights.
The terraced vineyard style seating is designed to bring the audience close to the orchestra and provide an intimate view of the musicians and conductor from any seat. A focal point for the auditorium is the 50-foot organ that houses 6,134 pipes ranging in size from a pencil to a telephone pole. Only two percent of the pipes are visible. The organ weighs more than 40 metric tons and was designed by Los Angeles organ designer Manuel Rosales along with Frank Gehry.
Gehry’s design includes details as specific as the carpet pattern used in the auditorium. Named “Lillian” in Mrs. Disney’s honor, the pattern was designed to bring Mrs. Disney’s garden into the Concert Hall and is featured in the seating upholstery as well. Foam padding, the material and the hollow underside of the seats mimic the human body in reflecting sound; in fact, the sound is the same no matter how full or how empty the auditorium. The only piece of art in the Concert Hall, “Blue”, was created by Los Angeles artist Peter Alexander. It is located above the Grand Avenue staircase between the Garden and Terrace levels.
The Concert Hall includes BP Hall, which is an additional space for performances and can accommodate up to 350 people. Clad in vertical grain Douglas fir as well, the curved room posed an acoustical challenge. To avoid focusing sound in one area of the space, perforations were added to the wood paneling with special material placed behind the panels to give the room proper acoustics.
Located on the second floor of the Concert Hall is the Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery. Designed by Hodgetts + Fung Design Associates, the gallery was made possible by a gift from the Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trust for the Benefit of the Library of Congress and rotates its collection bi-annually.
The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), named in honor of Walt Disney’s brother and partner Roy and Roy’s wife, Edna, is also housed within the Concert Hall. An interdisciplinary contemporary arts center, the theatre is programmed by CalArts, based in Valencia, California. REDCAT features a flexible 200- to 270-seat multi-use theatre and a 3,000 square-foot exhibition space. Its entrance includes a marquee of curvilinear stainless steel and leads directly into an expansive multi-use space that includes a lobby and lounge for meetings, receptions and post-performance events. The REDCAT stage can be transformed into several configurations, from thrust and end stage to completely in the round. The performance space is lined with hinged panels, each with finished wood on one side and sound-absorbent material on the other. To quiet outside noise and prevent transmission of vibrations from the Concert Hall, REDCAT is built as a steel box-within-a box, with the interior box floating on 72 special rubber pads.
Featured at Walt Disney Concert Hall
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Sun Jul 21 7:00 PM
25th Annual The Well Mission Fundraising Music Concert
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Los Angeles Sinfonietta, under the direction of music director James Yongjae Kim, they will present various stages including classical, Korean traditional music, Jazz etc. It will be held as a concert performance to share the 'Delightful Gathe...Show More
The Los Angeles Sinfonietta, under the direction of music director James Yongjae Kim, they will present various stages including classical, Korean traditional music, Jazz etc. It will be held as a concert performance to share the 'Delightful Gathering' through a concert. The proceeds from the fundraising concert will be awarded to homeless and low-income students.
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Sat Aug 10 8:00 PM
Gala Concert Honoring the 79th Anniversary of Korea’s Independence
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles Symphony, led by Maestro Hyun Sang Joo, hosts the annual ‘Gala Concert Honoring Korea’s Independence’. This year’s artists are Korea's prominent soprano Soon Young Kim, baritone Juan Carlos from LA Opera and Minnesota Opera's tenor Efr...Show More
Los Angeles Symphony, led by Maestro Hyun Sang Joo, hosts the annual ‘Gala Concert Honoring Korea’s Independence’. This year’s artists are Korea's prominent soprano Soon Young Kim, baritone Juan Carlos from LA Opera and Minnesota Opera's tenor Efrain Corralejo. They will perform classical numbers including Verdi, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Wagner and John Williams.
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Fri Aug 16 7:30 PM
Opera Forever
Walt Disney Concert Hall
LA Dream Orchestra and conductor Daniel Suk presents a night of Opera Gala Spectacular. The program celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Puccini's passing and includes arias, choruses and Chinese romantic operas premiering for the first ...Show More
LA Dream Orchestra and conductor Daniel Suk presents a night of Opera Gala Spectacular. The program celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Puccini's passing and includes arias, choruses and Chinese romantic operas premiering for the first time in the US.
More information at dreamorchestra.org
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Sat Aug 17 7:00 PM
A Soulful Summer Night
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) presents A SOULFUL SUMMER NIGHT. Under the musical direction of conductor Robert Shroder, FASO takes you on a soulful journey through symphony music spanning classical, traditional, and contemporary ...Show More
The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) presents A SOULFUL SUMMER NIGHT. Under the musical direction of conductor Robert Shroder, FASO takes you on a soulful journey through symphony music spanning classical, traditional, and contemporary music. For more information, please contact (213) 770-2807 or visit fasomusic.org
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Sun Aug 18 7:00 PM
Friendship & Harmony
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Don't miss this special concert "Friendship & Harmony" presented by the Los Angeles Korean-American Musicians' Association featuring Brahms' German Requiem.
Don't miss this special concert "Friendship & Harmony" presented by the Los Angeles Korean-American Musicians' Association featuring Brahms' German Requiem.
For more information, please visit thelakma.org.
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Tue Jul 09 11:00 AM
Thu Sep 26 11:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program Weekly Food Trucks
Gloria Molina Grand Park - Olive Court
Indulge and treat your tastebuds to the diverse cuisine Los Angeles has to offer with Gloria Molina Grand Park! Join us weekly Tuesdays - Thursdays at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Olive court right across the splash pad and discover new bites for ...Show MoreIndulge and treat your tastebuds to the diverse cuisine Los Angeles has to offer with Gloria Molina Grand Park! Join us weekly Tuesdays - Thursdays at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Olive court right across the splash pad and discover new bites for all you foodie lovers.Show LessMon Jun 10 10:00 AM
Sun Aug 11 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents BLKNWS® in Residence
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS ...Show More
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS has continually evolved in form and scope.
This year, it takes its newest form in the highly anticipated feature film BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions, produced in collaboration with A24 and Participant Media.
Guests to The Music Center will be immersed in a free multi-dimensional experience inspired by the world and ideas of BLKNWS.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Sun Jul 21 7:00 PM
25th Annual The Well Mission Fundraising Music Concert
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Los Angeles Sinfonietta, under the direction of music director James Yongjae Kim, they will present various stages including classical, Korean traditional music, Jazz etc. It will be held as a concert performance to share the 'Delightful Gathe...Show More
The Los Angeles Sinfonietta, under the direction of music director James Yongjae Kim, they will present various stages including classical, Korean traditional music, Jazz etc. It will be held as a concert performance to share the 'Delightful Gathering' through a concert. The proceeds from the fundraising concert will be awarded to homeless and low-income students.
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Sat Jul 20 6:00 PM
Sun Aug 04 2:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative Read the Garden hosted by Reparations Club
Jerry Moss Plaza
Part of BLKNWS in Residence, join us in The Garvey Garden on Jerry Moss Plaza for a communal read...Show More
Part of BLKNWS in Residence, join us in The Garvey Garden on Jerry Moss Plaza for a communal reading and discussion hosted by Reparations Club. Borrow, bring or buy a book of your choice.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Mon Jun 10 10:00 AM
Sun Aug 11 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents BLKNWS® in Residence
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS ...Show More
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS has continually evolved in form and scope.
This year, it takes its newest form in the highly anticipated feature film BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions, produced in collaboration with A24 and Participant Media.
Guests to The Music Center will be immersed in a free multi-dimensional experience inspired by the world and ideas of BLKNWS.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Mon Jun 10 10:00 AM
Sun Aug 11 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents BLKNWS® in Residence
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS ...Show More
Join us this summer for a very special residency featuring acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and his innovative project, BLKNWS®. Since its debut as a two-channel video installation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, BLKNWS has continually evolved in form and scope.
This year, it takes its newest form in the highly anticipated feature film BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions, produced in collaboration with A24 and Participant Media.
Guests to The Music Center will be immersed in a free multi-dimensional experience inspired by the world and ideas of BLKNWS.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Tour The Music Center Campus
Free tours are available of all The Music Center's theaters.