A year after the death of composer Simeon ten Holt (Canto Ostinato) Rita Verschuur presents us with a tribute to their friendship. Friends for a decade, living close to each other in the small village of Bergen. They kept in touch by phone and letters. And they met regularly, always at the composer's house, strictly at four o'clock.

They talked about each other's work, the similarities and differences. Simeon read Rita's books and she listened to his compositions. But their discussions about their craft, the sources of inspiration, success and failure, trial and error would not have lasted long if their friendship hadn't become more personal and intense over the years.

They discussed everything. Life and death, love and daily things and the problems with growing old.

Rita Verschuur has supplemented the accounts of their meetings with fragments of his letters. This makes About Simeon a wonderful gift for the fans of Simeon ten Holt, the Canto Ostinato-addicts and also a wonderful document of a beautiful friendship.

'A personal account of a friendship, written in a clear voice. In simple words and clear style, Rita Verschuur provides a glimpse into the life of composer Simeon ten Holt.' - Het Parool ****