At Theatro Circo, in the context of Contraponto, pianists Joana Gama and Rui Braga Simões join forces to present Canto Ostinato (1979) by Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt. An emblematic work of European minimalism, it allows for different combinations of keyboard instruments and leaves elements such as repetitions, accents and dynamics up to the performers, resulting in a hypnotic and contemplative musical experience.

Joana Gama (Braga, 1983) is a Portuguese pianist with an eclectic career, combining music with dance, theatre, cinema and the visual arts. She holds a PhD from the University of Évora, with a thesis on Portuguese contemporary music. In recent years, Joana has been very active in promoting the music by Erik Satie and Hans Otte. She is currently preparing the release of an album with music by Ivan Vukosavljevic.

Rui Braga Simões (Braga, 1998), who lives in The Hague, specializes in contemporary music. He has premiered works by composers such as Martijn Padding and is a member of the Ear to Earth Ensemble. He holds a master’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, where he studied with Ellen Corver, and collaborates with leading musicians such as Asko Schönberg and the New European Ensemble.

Contraponto is a cycle dedicated to 20th and 21st century composition, in which local, national and international ensembles and composers are invited to guide the audience through the music of one of the most fertile periods in terms of new ideas and forms.