Acoustics
The Salle Philharmonique de Liège boasts category B+ acoustics, making it one of Europe's leading concert halls.
Its ideal acoustic, with a clear and transparent quality, are a result of the unique architecture of the Salle Philharmonique, an original combination of an Italian-style arched hall and a rectangular stage modelled on German halls.
The exceptional isolation of the Hall (residual noise of 19 decibels) has for years made it a sought-after recording studio for the biggest record labels: BIS, Deutsche Grammophon, Outhere (Alpha Classics, Fuga Libera, Ricercar, Aeon) Universal/Accord, Zig-Zag Territoires, Naïve, Cypres, Palazzetto Bru Zane, Musique en Wallonie, BMG/RCA, etc.
Great performers have recorded here, including Louis Langrée, Pascal Rophé, François-Xavier Roth, Christian Arming, John Neschling, Paul Daniel, Jean-Jacques Kantorow, Leonardo García Alarcón, Guy Van Waas, Cédric Tibergien and Claire-Marie Le Guay, Olivier Latry, Tedi Papavrami, Laurent Korcia, Tabea Zimmermann, Antoine Tamestit, Anne Gastinel, Marc Coppey, Sandrine Piau, Anna Caterina Antonacci, Evgeni Nikitin, the Ricercar Consort, the Agrémens, the soloists of the Chapelle Musicale Reine Élisabeth, etc.
In September 2016, to make it easier for the musicians to hear each other on stage, the Hall underwent a series of improvements carried out by KahleAcoustics, a Brussels-based company specialising in acoustic improvements to halls (it works with major architects such as Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas). The firm's work resulted in the installation of a modular system of 12 panels, two red carpets on the staircases surrounding the organ and removable panels made of absorbent material.