The Piano Sonatas Vol 1: The last sonatas for pian

• Paul Komen already enjoys a very fine international reputation as one of the most talented pianists from the younger generation after his highly praised Globe recordings of Mompou (GLO 6004) and the complete Scriabin Preludes (GLO 5088 and GLO 5098). He is however also an extremely gifted interpreter of the great classical composers, as this CD dearly shows.

• For this recording with Beethoven's three last piano sonatas, in which the composer's genius reached new and till then unexplored heights, we used an original Viennese fortepiano, built by Conrad Graf, the famous piano maker who provided the composer himself with his last instrument.

• The combination of this beautiful instrument (one of the most magnificent original fortepianos to be found any- where in the world!), the unusual program (the three last sonatas are very hard to find on one CD) and Paul Komen's masterful interpretations of these indescribably beautiful works, makes this issue not only unique, but also of the greatest interest to all Beethoven lovers.


 

Paul Komen made his debut at the age of 13 with a radio recording of works by Bach and Scriabin. He then studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with Jan Wijn. During his studies he took part in several master classes, which resulted in 1978 in his first gramophone recording. In 1980 he was a finalist in the International Tromp Piano Competition in Eindhoven. In 1981 he made his English debut at the Wigmore Ha II in London. At this occasion one of the records he made was presented to H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen-Mother.

In 1982, Paul Komen finished his studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory cum laude and received a grant from the German Academic Exchange Services to continue his studies with Professor Hans Leygraf in Hanover. In 1984 he made his debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw as soloist with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sergio Comissiona.

In 1985 he finished his studies in Hannover with the Solistell-Diplom, again cum laude. He then continued to study with Juan Carlos Zubeldia in Bilbao and with Nelly Ben-Or in London. In 1986 he received a grant from the Dutch government to study with Gyorgy Sandor in New York and with Gyorgy Sebok in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1988 he was invited to perform at the prestigious International Piano Festival of La Roque d'Antheron in France. In 1989, Paul Komen made his American debut at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the National Gallery in Washington.