For centuries fountains have
played an integral role in garden design, serving on a practical
level as a source of refreshment for surrounding wildlife. With
an interplay of water, sound, light and air, they inject notes
of joy and tranquillity into the horticultural composition of
their environment.
Enhancing the gardens in
Rockefeller Center this year is a fountain centerpiece, bordered
by a banked floral surround, behind the statue of Prometheus on
Rockefeller Plaza. But this is no ordinary birdbath. For
starters, a 30 foot fountainhead majestically sprays jets of
water some 30 feet into the air, from which they fall into a
rectangular basin almost 60 feet long. Sheer size, however,
isn't the only thing that makes this fountain special.
"It's a theatrical fountain, which is played like a musical
instrument," says Ellen Chase, co-owner with her husband,
Bob, of Musical Waters, the company that built and operates the
fountain.
Two manually controlled
keyboards regulate the fountain's water formations and the
lighting patterns that embellish it in the evening, she
explains. Working in one of the Amdega garden buildings that
flank the fountain and house the keyboards and other fountain
hardware, Ellen choreographs the lighting effects while Bob
masterminds the water works, all to the sound of music. "By
manipulating the water and lighting patterns we can interpret
any type of music, from classical to rock," says Ellen.
About 15 concealed pumps
keep some 2,000 gallons of water recirculating through the unit.
Based in Poughkeepsie, New
York, Musical Waters, which bills itself as "the preferred
name in show fountains," has been creating unique water
effects for 20 years. It's owners, however, have been in the
theatrical fountain business for over 20 years. Bob built a
fountain for the late Liberace's elaborate estate outside Las
Vegas, as well as one for the Benihana restaurant in the Las
Vegas Hilton, which was featured in the movie Indecent Proposal.
He has also created fountain shows for Radio City Music Hall,
celebrity stage programs, private charity balls, corporate
events, and the San Mateo Flower Show in California. "We
are a great asset to flower shows," says Ellen,
"because we bring the fountain to the show. Normally you'd
have to go to a place like Longwood Gardens to see the kind of
grand fountains that we install."
Musical Waters fountains are
composed of modular five-foot units that can be arranged in a
variety of formats, depending on the size required. "We
don't sell our fountains, we rent them for special
occasions," explains Ellen. We're a traveling theatrical
display fountain company that goes on the road with one fountain
or more at a time."
For the Rockefeller Center
Flower & Garden Show the Chases have devised a program that
calls for subdued water effects throughout the day, when crowds
are at their peak, and a lively water program tailored to
specific tunes in the early evening to extend the public's
interest in the show. "When you bring beautiful music and
beautiful flowers together, the effect is incomparable,"
says Ellen. "It's a one-of-a-kind experience."
