Sandbox Percussion and AMOC Captivate with 'Canto Ostinato' Performance

The minimalist masterpiece by Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt casts a spellbinding musical spell at Cal Performances.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sandbox Percussion and the American Modern Opera Company (AMOC) delivered a spectacular performance of Simeon ten Holt's mesmerizing work 'Canto Ostinato' at Cal Performances in Berkeley. The 75-minute performance, which could have continued for hours, showcased the flexibility and hypnotic power of the minimalist composition through a sonically magical combination of percussion instruments, piano, and synthesizer.

Why it matters

Ten Holt's 'Canto Ostinato' is considered a masterpiece of minimalist music, drawing comparisons to seminal works by composers like Steve Reich and Terry Riley. The Cal Performances event highlighted the enduring appeal and influence of this style of music, which demands focused attention from the audience and creates a trance-like, immersive experience.

The details

Composed in the 1970s, 'Canto Ostinato' is carefully notated as 106 short sections that can be repeated as many times as the performers wish, with flexibility in articulation and dynamics. The Sandbox Percussion ensemble and AMOC members, including pianist Conor Hanick and synthesist Matthew Aucoin, utilized a combination of marimbas, vibraphones, tuned metal pipes, glockenspiel, piano, and synthesizer to craft a wash of sound that was both exciting and soothing. Small fluctuations in the performance, such as crescendos and decrescendos, created audible structure amid the repetition, while the shifting musical texture and occasional moments of startling intensity kept the audience captivated.

  • The performance took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Sandbox Percussion

A percussion ensemble that performed 'Canto Ostinato' as part of Cal Performances' 2026 season programming.

American Modern Opera Company (AMOC)

A music group that collaborated with Sandbox Percussion on the performance of 'Canto Ostinato'.

Simeon ten Holt

The late Dutch composer who created the minimalist masterpiece 'Canto Ostinato'.

Conor Hanick

A member of AMOC who performed piano during the 'Canto Ostinato' performance.

Matthew Aucoin

A member of AMOC who performed synthesizer during the 'Canto Ostinato' performance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Performances of 'Canto Ostinato' can last up to six hours.”

— Jonny Allen, Sandbox Percussion member

The takeaway

The captivating performance of 'Canto Ostinato' by Sandbox Percussion and AMOC demonstrated the enduring power of minimalist music to create a trance-like, immersive experience for the audience. The flexibility and hypnotic repetition of the composition, combined with the skilled interpretation by the ensemble, left the audience spellbound and wishing the performance could have continued for hours.