PALAU DE LA MUSICA CATALANA IN BARCELONA
This is a real palace of music in Barcelona, a Modernista celebration of tilework, sculpture and glorious stained glass. It is the only concert hall in Europe lit by natural light. Designed by Lluis Domenech I Montaner, it was completed in 1908. Although a few extensions have been added, the building still retains its original appearance. The elaborate red-brick façade is hard to appreciate fully in the confines of the narrow street. It is lined with mosaic-covered pillars topped by busts of the great composers Palestrina, Bach and Beethoven. The large stone sculpture of St George and other figures at the corner of the building portrays an allegory from Catalan folk-song by Miquel Blay.

But it is the interior of the building that is truly inspiring. The auditorium is lit by a huge inverted dome of stained glass depicting angelic choristers. The sculptures of composers Wagner and Clave´ on the proscenium arch were designed by Domenech but finished by Pau Gargallo.

The work of Josep Anselm Clave1824 ц 74, in promoting Catalan song led to the creation of the Orefeo Catala choral society in 1891, a focus of Catalan nationalism and the inspiration behind the Palau.