Simeon ten Holt was a distinguished Dutch composer, born on January 24, 1923, in Bergen, North Holland, and best known for creating deeply meditative and minimalist compositions that have resonated with audiences around the world. Ten Holt hailed from a family of artists, which greatly influenced his artistic trajectory. He studied under Jakob van Domselaer, who himself was influenced by the abstract art of Piet Mondrian and sought to find a music equivalent, a heritage that can be seen reflected in ten Holt's work. While initially influenced by twentieth-century avant-garde music, ten Holt gradually moved away from what he saw as the rigid confines of serialism and developed his own unique compositional method, which he referred to as ‘tonal dynamics’ or ‘systematic shifting of layers’.

The centerpiece of his oeuvre, "Canto Ostinato," composed between 1976 to 1979, is perhaps ten Holt's most celebrated piece and a seminal work of minimal music. The composition's structure allows performers a remarkable degree of freedom in terms of length, tempo, and the number of instruments involved, embodying a fluidity that has been a hallmark of ten Holt's later career. This piece has not only achieved considerable acclaim within classical and contemporary music circles but has also found broader appeal, resonating with those who appreciate the meditative and entrancing qualities of minimalist music. "Canto Ostinato" and its various interpretations, like the four-piano version, have been released multiple times, reflecting the piece's enduring popularity and pivotal role in ten Holt's legacy. Simeon ten Holt passed away on November 25, 2012, but his work continues to be performed widely, captivating new generations of listeners with its hypnotic beauty and timeless resonance.

Genres

Dutch Contemporary Classical

Minimalism

Latest Release

Simeon Ten Holt Canto Ostinato (New Arrangement for Solo Harp)

Simeon ten Holt

Album - 9 Tracks - Released May 24, 2024