Best Hall for Chamber Music in Chicago?

[bove]

I'm planning a project in Chicago, and researching venues. This is classical chamber music project. Anyone from Chicago care to chime in on the best venues in town? (Or nearby, within a days drive.)

[Plush]

Hire me and I'll tell you.

Most of the places I use are restricted to outsiders.

As old Mayor Daley said, " We don't want nobody nobody sent."

[Funkster]

hey bove,

Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University on Michigan Ave. is COMPLETELY AWESOME!

I took my wife to a chamber recital there once when we lived up that way. It featured a lot of stuff with bassoon, and she is a hobbyist with bassoon. Definitely the coolest recital hall I've ever been in. All the pictures I've seen online are really doctored and make the place look way too pretty. When you are there in person it has a way more comfortable, old-school vibe to it. Don't know what it would take to get, but it would be at the top of my list.

Also went to a chamber recital at DePaul out in the belmont area way back in the day. I don't remember anything about that one really. Seems like the hall was more run-of-the-mill.

Best of luck!

[bove]

Originally Posted by Funkster

Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University on Michigan Ave. is COMPLETELY AWESOME!

Ganz Hall definitely looks good, thanks for the tip! I'm going to try and line up a few possibilities and then go visit them all. Within reason, the budget is not really a concern, we're just looking for the best sound quality for this recording.

[Plush]

Hello Bove,

Certainly you understand that my post above is meant in humor.

Here are some other laudable halls commonly used for recording work.

DePaul Concert Hall--nice acoustic plagued by outside noise.
Music Institute of Chicago, Evanston, IL--good acoustic with moderate ambience
Ganz is certainly endorsed--good sound and low price.
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Bennett-Gordon Hall, Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL

Some of these places are suited to chamber music, others for louder and more bombastic
repertoire. What kind of stuff are you doing?

[Frost]

I used to be the technical director for the school of music at Northwestern. I have done a lot of recordings of classical works at Pick Staiger. The acoustics of the hall are variable (there are movable clouds and heavy curtains to fit the reverb time fo your liking). Its a good hall to record in. Also at northwestern if Pick Staiger doesnt fit your budget you can look into Alice Millar Chapel. Lutkin Hall is ok, but would not be my first choice. I personally like both of Pick and Alice Millar a bit better than I like Ganz Hall. I have only heard the smaller rooms at ravinia at concerts but never recorded there. They sounded good as an audience member.

Frost

[tenor39]

Originally Posted by bove

Ganz Hall definitely looks good, thanks for the tip! I'm going to try and line up a few possibilities and then go visit them all. Within reason, the budget is not really a concern, we're just looking for the best sound quality for this recording.

Ganz Hall was designed by a team that included Frank Lloyd Wright and is suspended by trusses in the middle of Roosevelt University. The isolation is excellent! We used it to record the DPA microphone demo disc with violinist Kristof Barati playing a $5M Guarneri violin!

[bove]

Originally Posted by tenor39

Ganz Hall was designed by a team that included Frank Lloyd Wright and is suspended by trusses in the middle of Roosevelt University. The isolation is excellent! We used it to record the DPA microphone demo disc with violinist Kristof Barati playing a $5M Guarneri violin!

That looks like a very interesting recording, is it available?

[bove]

Originally Posted by Plush

Some of these places are suited to chamber music, others for louder and more bombastic repertoire. What kind of stuff are you doing?

We're doing a variety of pieces, all featuring solo trumpet. Some will be loud, and may include percussion.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone... there are a nice variety of options available!

[boojum]

Originally Posted by Plush

Hire me and I'll tell you.

Most of the places I use are restricted to outsiders.

As old Mayor Daley said, " We don't want nobody nobody sent."

Ya gotta talk to yer ward heeler.