Ever wanted to join a cult? Canto Ostinato, written by Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt in 1974, has such a strong following that it has inspired tattoos, helped people give birth, and even been mentioned in a dying person’s last words as ‘the moment his life was fulfilled’. 100 years after Holt’s birth, we are presenting this life-changing musical experience on four pianos, giving you a unique chance to break free from the pressing time limits of modern life, into a spacious evening of mesmerising sound and light.
We’re very excited to partner with video collective Trenchone Industries, who will transform the cathedral’s interior with projection-mapped visuals—Trenchone’s graffiti-artists, VJs and video producers are creating a unique video backdrop for this epic musical event, projected onto the dramatic stone features of Glasgow’s oldest building. Alongside these organic, colourful graphics, you’ll also be entranced by the on-stage action, as the metamorphic choreography of twelve pianists changing shifts every few minutes transports you to a dream state.
Canto gives a huge amount of freedom, neither specifying instrumentation nor length; only 106 ‘cells’ of musical material that are combined following a ‘genetic code’ designed by the composer. Performances last anywhere from one hour to multiple days, and we have chosen to give this transformational piece three hours to blow your mind, allowing it space to ‘create itself’ as the composer intended. We’ll fill the cathedral with comfy seating, and you are free to move around, get a drink, stretch your legs—or just lie back and be transported to a place of musical bliss as you join the Canto clan. It’ll be a night to remember.
