Metropolis Ensemble, Sandbox Percussion, and musician/composer Erik Hall team up this summer to create a large-scale arrangement of Simeon ten Holt’s minimalism work “Canto Ostinato,” at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The event entitled “Biophony: Solstice” takes place on the summer solstice, with over 30 percussionists, 4 keyboards, and 16 strings and saxophones. The dual sunrise and sunset performances will culminate the four-season collaboration between Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Metropolis Ensemble.

“Canto Ostinato” was originally written for four pianos by Simeon ten Holt. Hall’s take on the piece is an hour-long solo performance consisting of multi-tracked grand pianos, electric piano, and organ. Canto Ostinato is inherently vast, and its score gives great creative license to the performers. Comprising 106 sections, complete freedom is given to repeat each one as many or as few times as desired. Additional leeway is given with regard to dynamics, articulation, and even instrumentation.

In a press release, Hall says of the arrangement, “‘Canto Ostinato’s’ score allows for ample decision-making within a certain framework. In previously realizing the piece, I constructed a small world out of a mere three keyboard instruments. This time the palette comprises several keyboards, extensive mallet percussion, woodwinds, and strings, and rather than just fall straight into fanfare, we want to use these many tones to go deep into the inherent beauty of the piece. He continues, “Since recording the piece alone at home I’ve dreamed of performing it live with other musicians. I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting or ideal opportunity than this.” Metropolis Ensemble and Sandbox Percussion are world-class musicians and thinkers, and I’m simply honored and invigorated to be working on the piece in their company.

On June 20, the sunrise performance will take place at 5 a.m. on the Cherry Esplanade, with the sunset performance starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Plant Family Collection.