The ‘Canto Ostinato’ by Simeon Ten Holt, say the Dutch Wim Mertens, is more than a piece of music, it is a hypnotic experience. The work composed between 1973 and 1979 is the Netherlands’ most celebrated contribution to minimal music. Unlike the other minimalists who often emphasize the rhythmic aspect, Ten Holt looks in the direction of melody and sound. Every performance of ‘Canto Ostinato’ is unique, because Ten Holt gives the musicians a lot of freedom in dealing with the score.

The premiere of Canto on April 25, 1979 in the Ruïnekerk in Bergen hit like a bomb and became a classic hit in the Netherlands. The scores are tattooed on body parts, women give birth to children on ‘Canto’,…. No contemporary piece of music has had as much impact in the Netherlands as ‘Canto Ostinato’.

For incomprehensible reasons, this composition is rarely performed in our country, while the churches of our northern neighbors are overcrowded when this work is on the program. High time to do something about this and let Belgium go for the axe. But B-Classic wouldn’t be B-Classic if they didn’t give it their quirky twist to take it to even greater heights for the glory of your ultimate concert experience. Because it will be. Guitarist and composer Bram Stadhouders will create an immersive version of the Canto together with master arranger Ward Opsteyn. So 360° music! Uberorgelmeister Luc Ponet will take place behind the organ, accompanied by truly phenomenal vocalists such as Charlotte Schoeters, Ekaterina Levental, Rianne Wilbers, Fanny Alofs and the inimitable Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe. Open your mind and your……

…. heart will follow

A performance in the context of the festival ‘Beroert’, a collaboration between the VELINX and B-CLASSIC.