The Isarphilharmonie opened in October 2021 and is currently serving as a temporary venue for performances by the Münchner Philharmoniker, before the orchestra returns to the renovated Gasteig cultural centre. With its outstanding acoustics and pleasant, intimate atmosphere however, the Isarphilharmonie has already become an integral part of Munich’s musical landscape.
The Isarphilharmonie is located in a small industrial park in the Munich district of Sendling, and is part of the Gasteig HP8 (Hans-Preissinger-Strasse 8) cultural centre. All the institutions of the Gasteig cultural centre in Haidhausen, including its philharmonic orchestra, are being temporarily housed at this site close to the Isar river. As well as the Münchner Philharmoniker audiences at this unconventional venue can also enjoy concerts featuring a host of internationally renowned orchestras and musicians.
The Isarphilharmonie is a pop-up building with a steel exterior and an interior made from prefabricated wooden elements. The stalls and the first- and second-floor tiers and balconies can seat up to 1900 people in total. The concert hall forms an architecturally attractive connection to the historic brick building it adjoins, while the almost-square concert hall is subtle and practical in design: the walls and seating are dark grey, and only the light-coloured wooden floor of the stage stands out. This means that all attention is focused on the action on stage.
The Isarphilharmonie was designed by architect firm Gerkan, Marg und Partner, with Yasuhisa Toyota and his company Nagata Acoustics tasked with taking care of the acoustics. The sound experts drew on experience they gained in previous projects such as the Elbphilharmonie, the Philharmonie de Paris and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The neighbouring Hall E in the brick building, which is listed, serves as the foyer for the philharmonic orchestra’s temporary home. Built in the 1920s, this was once a transformer hall and has been deliberately left untouched to showcase its raw, industrial charm. During concert intervals, visitors can enjoy a glass of fizz and admire the loading crane that still stands here under the historic glass roof.
