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© Jelmer de Haas

Canto Ostinato

Aart Bergwerff & Eric Vloeimans perform Ten Holt
Minimal, Neoclassical & More
Sun 16 Feb ’25 14:15 uur
Sun 16 Feb ’25
14:15 uur
  • Sun 16 Feb ’25
    14:15 uur
    Hertog Jan Hall
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  • A drink is included in the price

Netherlands' most famous composition? Heard more often than the Wilhelmus? It could very well be. The intoxicating Canto Ostinato by Simeon ten Holt is unbelievably frequently performed. Perhaps it helps that it can be performed on a variety of different instruments. It can sound beautiful on keyboard and wind instruments as well. Especially when performed by organist Aart Bergwerff and trumpeter Eric Vloeimans.

On April 25, 1979, in the Ruïnekerk in Bergen (North Holland), the premiere took place. It was somewhat of a seismic event. Virtually nobody at the time, including Ten Holt himself, dared to venture into easily accessible harmonies or simple, singable lyrical motifs. Yet this monumental work proved to be incredibly contemporary and was quickly embraced by listeners and musicians alike. The CD produced by Polo de Haas and Kees Wieringa sold more than 15,000 copies: a unique feat for a Dutch composer of 'serious music.' And all this with a piece that continuously repeats the same short musical motif. Brilliant repetition that never tires.

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Minimal, Neoclassical & More

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