Music From Other Minds

Program 508: Music of Simeon ten Holt

KALW Broadcast Date: March 23, 2018 | Host: Richard Friedman

Many composers were if not directly influenced at least intrigued by the pattern music of Philip Glass and Steve Reich coming out of New York City in the 70s. One was the late Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt, who created a Dutch version of minimalism.

ten Holt was interested mainly in the process, especially with his pieces for multiple performers … two, four, six, even 8 pianos. But processes that the listener need not be aware of to appreciate. It’s odd to recall that at the time, this music was denounced as insipid cult music. And yet the audience for it continues to grow. You can find performances of ten Holt’s music performed in odd places such as train stations and airports in Europe on youtube.

This music is best appreciated if you take the time to listen carefully, very carefully. If you make the effort to hear the shifting elements in the fore- and background and the very sudden appearance of new patterns, you will experience something quite unique and rewarding. If you can muster the concentration to listen intensely you will be rewarded in unexpected ways. To appreciate this music fully requires the greatest concentration from the listener as well as performer.

Most of Simeon ten Holt’s works can go on for indeterminate length. Some are two or three or more hours long, so it was hard to find characteristic pieces that will fit in our hour. Tonight we’ll hear two of the four published Solodowveldanses, Solo Devil Dances, numbers 3 and 4, composed in 1990 and 96. And they are really devilish.

Program Audio

30-Second Spot