Paul Pankert (b. 1965) studied violin in Liège and Düsseldorf. His musical activity has been primarily focused on the performance of contemporary and baroque music. As solo violin in the Dutch contemporary music group Ensemble’88, he played hundreds of compositions, including numerous first performances, often in close collaboration with the composers.

His own compositional activity began in 2008 with his composition Spaltung, for which he was awarded the composition prize of the Académie Royale de Belgique. Since then he has composed numerous works, including commissions for by Orgelpark Amsterdam, Ars Musica Festival, Brussels, Festival van Vlaanderen, Ostbelgienfestival, Flagey Brussels…

Even if one cannot really assign his compositions to a particular style, they all have one thing in common: a close relationship to baroque music.

Paul is co-founder of the contemporary music association “KL-EX” (Klang-Experimente), based in Eastern Belgium. (www.kl-ex.com).

He was awarded the title of Künstler Ostbelgiens in 2017. The CD/LP production „connected“ in 2020 marks the conclusion of this period.

About the piece

Fantasia Scortata for violin, harpsichord & live electronics (2023)

- Preludio

- Fantasia

- Menuetto

For a long time, in addition to contemporary music, I have also been intensively involved with Baroque music. It is therefore not surprising that the formal structures and quotations of this period are deeply influencing my compositions.

In this composition, the central free Fantasia rises to a dramatic outburst through an increasing densification of the playing of the instruments and the electronic effects.

This Fantasia is “escorted” by a Preludio and finally by a playful Minuet.