Metropolis Ensemble and Brooklyn Botanic Garden presents Biophony: Solstice in sweeping sunrise and sunset performances of minimalist Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt’s lyrical gem, “Canto Ostinato.”

This World Premiere arrangement (2023–24 Metropolis Ensemble commission) from composers Benjamin Wallace, Ledah Finck, and David Leon features pianist Erik Hall, Sandbox Percussion, strings, keyboardists and wind players from Metropolis Ensemble, and percussionists from the Sandbox Percussion Summer Seminar / Mannes School of Music at The New School.

This immersive event is the culmination of Biophony, a four-season collaboration between Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Metropolis Ensemble.

On the longest day of the year, the sun will rise at 5:45am to an intimate presentation of “Canto Ostinato” with Sandbox Percussion and pianist Erik Hall at Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s famed Cherry Esplanade. After the sun arcs the stunning 52-acre gardens, the day will end with an epic 50-musician rendition of “Canto Ostinto” in the rolling hills of the Plant Family Collection as the sun sets, celebrating the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

“Simeon ten Holt’s Canto Ostinato seems to have its own gravitational pull, drawing in performers and listeners alike. Drawing on a ten-year plus history of collaboration between Sandbox and Metropolis, we are thrilled to be working closely with pianist and composer Erik Hall to develop a large-scale World Premiere arrangement for 50+ percussionists, keyboards (modular synths and Rhodes), strings, and saxophones for Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We are looking forward to celebrating this work’s immersive kaleidoscopic sound and ecstatic music making potential as the sun rises and sets on the summer solstice!”

—Andrew Cyr (Metropolis Ensemble) and Jonny Allen (Sandbox Percussion)

Sunset Performance: 7:30pm at Plant Family Collection

Free with Garden admission.