Thursday, August 11, 2011

Kleinhans Music Hall

Kleinhans Music Hall, home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, was built in the late 1930s and opened October 1940. It is located on Symphony Circle. The music hall was built as a part of the last will and testament of Edward L. and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, owners of the Kleinhans mens clothing store. The couple left close to 1 million dollars for the music hall's construction. 
The building was designed by Eliel Saarinen with his son, Eero Saarinen and "was recognized as one of the greatest concert halls ever built in the United States".[5] It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.[4][6]
This is the kind of building that is so inspiring as to bring tears to my eyes.  The lines, the form, shifting perspectives, and the reflecting pool create a surrealist montage.  The canopy in the photo above looks like it is floating in Daliesque fashion.  Saarinen clearly understands how shadows can be manipulated by the form and create their own geometry on the facade.  Must see at night some day. 


Cool.   



Isole Borromee