Restoration to shine new light in Symphony Hall

Jim Pigott of Arlington worked on a window by the chandelier in Symphony Hall in Boston yesterday. (David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)

Daylight will cascade into Symphony Hall this fall for the first time for audiences since the 1940s, splashing from 14 half-moon windows that had been covered since the air raid scares of World War II.

Workmen pried off half of the 8-foot-wide wooden shutters yesterday, allowing sunlight to shine onto the maple floor, velvet railings, and faux leather-backed seats of what is considered one of the top three concert halls in the world.

"I think it's going to bring a whole new light into the hall," said C. Mark Cataudella, the director of facilities, as he stood on scaffolding near the roof of the red brick building. "It's going to accent details that aren't easily seen."

The restoration will replace the grimy, century-old windows with double-paned laminate glass that is designed to be flexible enough to move with the music.

The work is part of an $800,000 lighting project that will also illuminate the 16 statues of Demosthenes and other Greek luminaries that stand sentry over the ornate, 62-foot-high hall.

Allowing natural light to pour through the clerestory windows may seem long overdue.

The threat of a bombing run over Boston faded six decades ago, but no one wanted to tinker hastily with the venerable 108-year-old space.

"Everything we do in the building is really critically analyzed acoustically," Cataudella said. "We don't want to change a thing."