Hidden gem: Who are those mysterious heads on the facade?

The white granite portraits turn out to be a perfect fit for a concert hall like Muziekgebouw Eindhoven. They represent six major 20th-century composers: Hendrik Andriessen, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Olivier Messiaen, George Gershwin, Benjamin Britten and Dmitri Shostakovich. Quite the line-up! The faces were created by German sculptor Manfred Mausz and have been overlooking what is now known as stage M ever since.

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But why these particular composers? The answer lies in the origin story of Muziekgebouw Eindhoven. In 1992, the doors opened to what was then called Muziekcentrum Frits Philips. A name that, according to then-mayor Van Kemenade, made perfect sense: ‘We believe there is no better way to express our appreciation for what Philips has meant to Eindhoven over the past hundred years than by linking the Philips name to the venue that symbolises the city’s development in the decades to come. With this name, we aim to honour the company – and in particular Frits Philips, who for so many years embodied the close connection between the city and the company.’

From the very beginning, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven has been closely connected to Philips, the company that rose to prominence in the 20th century. And that’s exactly why these particular composers were chosen for the facade: just as Philips became a pioneer in technological innovation during that century, these composers became trailblazers in musical innovation. So the next time you walk across the Markt, you’ll know: those faces aren’t just watching passers-by — they stand as symbols of innovation, a theme that Muziekgebouw Eindhoven still proudly embraces after 33 years.

Want to experience the music of these musical innovators for yourself? Our concert agenda features several performances showcasing works by Britten and Shostakovich.