Paul Komen is a Dutch classical pianist. He made his debut as a performer at the age of thirteen in a radio recording of works by Bach and Scriabin.
He studied with Jan Wijn at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, graduating with distinction. He continued his studies with Hans Leygraf in Hanover, György Sándor in New York, and György Sebők in Bloomington.
In 1980, Komen made his solo debut in the Main Hall of Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, performing with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra under Sergiu Comissiona. That year he also appeared at Wigmore Hall in London. In 1989 he gave recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York and the National Gallery in Washington.
Specializing also in historical instruments, Komen has performed at early-music festivals including the Utrecht Early Music Festival, the Dresden Music Festival, the Sanssouci Festival in Potsdam, the La Roque d’Anthéron Piano Festival, and Musica Antigua in Barcelona. He has performed with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century under Frans Brüggen, and regularly appears with violinist Emmy Verhey and horn player Jacob Slagter.
Komen is principal piano teacher and a chamber-music teacher at the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen. After Rian de Waal’s death in May 2011, he became artistic director of the Peter the Great Festival in Groningen.
His recordings include works by Mompou, Scriabin, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Chopin. He received an Edison Award in 1994 for one of his CDs.