Contribution
On the Acoustics of the Central Rooms in Sans Souci Palace in Potsdam
* Presenting author
Abstract:
King Friedrich II of Prussia was an educated representative of enlightened absolutism. Furthermore, he was taught to play the traverse flute by J.J. Quantz and composed for this instrument. In the spring of 1756, Friedrich daily was accompanied by C.P.E. Bach, J.S. Bach’s son, alternating every month with his young colleague C.F.Chr. Fasch. Friedrich the Great’s private retreat and UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanssouci, completed in 1747 therefore is of particular musicological interest, and especially the king’s concert room therein. However, little is found in literature about the objective room acoustics. Thanks to the support of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg, the author was allowed to perform room acoustic measurements in central rooms of Sanssouci in February 2024. Within four hours, the central rooms vestibule/entrance hall, domed hall, audience room and concert room were measured according to EN ISO 3382-1 with low occupancy and in almost original state. The evaluation of the measurements exhibits astonishing results regarding audibility and acoustic suitability for the respective use. The acoustic measurements performed, their evaluation, results and interpretation will be presented in this contribution, and the room acoustic properties of these rooms will be made audible by auralisations with characteristic audio examples.