Domenech i Montaner’s Architectural Jewel: Palau de la Musica Catalana
**Palace of Catalan Music**
**Architect:** Lluis Domenech i Montaner (1850-1923)
**Chronology:** 1905-1908
**Location:** Barcelona
**Style:** Modernism
**Materials:** Iron, glass, ceramics, and bricks
**Building System:** Industrial materials
**Historical Context**
Catalonia experienced a cultural renewal in the last third of the 19th century, reflected above all in literature, music, visual arts, and architecture. All of this was part of the *Renaixença*, in which Catalan values resurfaced, Barcelona grew alongside the Indian and trade strikes. The emergence of Catalan political nationalism encouraged expansion into all areas. In 1888, Barcelona established the first Universal Exhibition in Spain. The City Council began planning major changes that turned Barcelona into a major European city.
**Formal Analysis**
The support elements are metallic fabric and iron columns that form the framework of a “glass box”. Other materials include ceramics, bricks, and pottery. The walls are released from the support function, as used in the Gothic. Also, popular items such as *revoltons*, pottery, and tiles are used.
Structure: Mixed. The ground floor has Gothic arches and brick pillars. On the first and second floors, there is a structure of human feet, iron beams, and vaulted *revoltons*, but there are different types of arches that are returning. There are no closing sound walls (curtain wall), without holding anything, and largely, there are no windows.
Interior Space: It is divided into three parts: the entrance, the auditorium, and the stage. At the bottom of the stage, there is a sloping curved tile frieze representing 18 women who play various instruments: they are muses of music. The bottom wall is broken with varied red tones; the women’s heads and bodies are sculpted, and their skirts are made of small patchwork, all different.
**Interpretation**
The opening was filled with strong symbolism, as being a collective, the first stone was laid in a metal box containing some of the medals of the Catalanist Union. On April 23, 1905, Saint George’s Day, the first stone was laid. The Catalan Choral Society is an organization founded in 1891 by Lluis Millet and Amadeu Vives. Beyond being a choir, the Orfeo Catala is a leading institution of Catalan culture. The Palau was born to host the Orfeo Catala, an emblematic institution of Catalonia. From the beginning, it had a strong symbolic character. Charismatic Catalan artists participated, popular materials were used, and the references to the Catalan homeland are constant (St. George, the flag, the Montserrat mountains…). The work was financed by contributions and by the Friends of the People’s Choral Society. It cost one million pesetas.
There is a vertical line that runs from the first stone (square in the rehearsal room), which says “Catalan Choral Society”, to the key that opens up the proscenium (round), which has written “Palace of Catalan Music”, through the banner at the bottom of the stage as well. Choral, music, and Catalonia are united, as the name says it all, being repeated at three sites of the adjective “Catalan”. Also, the crane at the top of the corner is the round shield with the name of the palace, joining the vertical lines of the horizontal banner with the staff.
**Dual Function**
It serves as the seat of the Catalan choir and a concert hall. It was an exaltation of Modernism, integrating all the arts (architecture, painting, sculpture, decorative arts). It is linked to the national *Renaixença* and responded to the demands of a modern industrial bourgeoisie, but at the same time, cultured and nationalist.