Artist: InnerAct | Album: Simeon Ten Holt: Canto Ostinato Audio Visual | Released: 2013 | Label: Etcetera | Catalog #: KTD6007 | Genre: Electronic, Classical

Gwyneth Wentink (1981) – Harp player
Wouter Snoei (1977) – Electronics
Arnout Hulskamp (1978) – Visuals

Canto Ostinato is a revolutionary piece that Simeon Ten Holt wrote between 1976 and 1979. The piece consists of 106 cells (loops), which can be repeated by the performers interpretation. Next to the number of repeats, the performer determines the articulations, phrasing, dynamics and at certain spots, the order in the piece. This makes each performance of Canto Ostinato unique. Improvisation and interaction drive each performance.
The performers agree upon signs that indicate who takes the lead and when they move to the next cell. Because of the tonality, the usage of these cells and the repetitive nature, the composition is labeled as minimal music. Canto moves people, and has achieved a worldwide following.

InnerAct presents a version for harp, electronics and visuals. On this CD, the audio part is presented. During the performance, Wouter Snoei edits the sound of the harp, recording and manipulating it on the spot. In addition, he adds a synthetic, completely electronic layer, for which the full score of Canto was digitized. This creates the possibility of generating multiple voices similar to various instruments, with Wentink and Snoei entering into a sonic dialogue with each other.