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THE MUSIC OF THE STREAM Fallingwater inspires new music
D
uring a 1957 lecture, Frank Lloyd Wright famously said, “Never miss the idea that architecture and music belong together. They are practically one.” This is certainly true of Fallingwater, where his dynamic design includes endless musical composition provided by the mountain stream flowing below the house. In a 1934 letter to the Kaufmanns written during the design process, Wright said that the house was taking shape “to the music of the stream.” In fact, on the rare occasion that the temperature falls enough for the waterfall to freeze, the experience of Fallingwater feels eerily incomplete without its soundtrack.
The Kaufmanns’ vacation house was also designed for entertaining, and Wright knew that Fallingwater’s living room would be enlivened by music. In fact, he designed a music listening area with a record player as a distinct space within the open-concept living room. Musicians often remark that the overall design of Fallingwater has a rhythmic quality that can be understood musically. Fallingwater Institute recently hosted several musicians who were drawn to Fallingwater for these reasons and more, for immersive, creative exploration during workshops and artist residencies. I N S I G H T/O N S I T E : A C R E AT I V E R E T R E AT F O R M U S I C I A N S Mike Block and Hanneke Cassel perform in Fallingwater’s living room, June 2024.
Grammy award-winning musician and cellist Mike Block found musical inspiration at Fallingwater just waiting to be played. He first visited Fallingwater at age 11 with his family. “Before I committed to becoming a professional musician, I wanted to become an architect and Wright was my primary source of inspiration.” Block ultimately went on to study at Cleveland Institute of Music and Julliard. He now performs around the world and serves as a faculty member at the New England Conservatory. He is known for designing the Block Strap, a clever invention that enables him to play cello while standing. In fact, he was the first standing cello player to perform at Carnegie Hall.
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