It all began in the early 1980s. Four young conservatory students performed the piece for the first time, under the watchful eye of Ten Holt. A few years later, in 1985, Canto made its big breakthrough at the Holland Festival with this “original group” featuring pianists Gerard Bouwhuis, Gene Carle, Kees van Zeeland, and Arielle Vernède.

Canto Ostinato is the most beloved and frequently performed work by Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt. Arielle Vernède is one of the four pianists who originally performed the piece. It’s no wonder, then, that she also manages to impress with the piece on her own. She captures the audience’s mood with the full versatility of her piano’s tones and holds your attention until the very end.