Beniamino Paganini: ‘I want to tell a fascinating musical story’

Every week, we put out feelers looking for artists below the radar that deserve our attention. This week, the newest addition to Belgium's vibrant early music scene: traverso and harpsichord player, maestro al cembalo and musicologist Beniamino Paganini and his ensemble Musica Gloria.

As kids, didn't we all dream of getting some friends together in the garage, playing four-chord songs with the amps turned up dramatically high. Fantasizing about headlining the biggest festivals. Only, for Beniamino Paganini it wasn't your everyday four-piece punk-rock outfit. At the age of 12, he started his very own baroque ensemble Musica Gloria.

“I've always been intrigued by the compositions and the timbres of early music,” he says. “My parents took me to concerts even when I was very young. I vividly remember my first one at the age of 7, the Vespro della Beata Vergine by Monteverdi and so when it came to starting at the music academy, there was no doubt I was going to pick a baroque instrument.”

That instrument turned out to be the traverso, a predecessor to the contemporary flute, “but because of its wooden build, the sound is much warmer. My teacher brought in a modern instrument to try first, but it never even left the case, whereas the traverso never went back into its bag. Shortly thereafter, I also started playing the harpsichord.”

Even though Belgium happens to have a very rich Early music culture, with heaps of great musicians and ensembles, at the academy there still aren't many opportunities to play this repertoire for youngsters. “It was exactly this urge to make music together that made me found Musica Gloria at a young age and soon, we were playing baroque concerts with twenty children for full churches.”

Authenticity & appeal
Fourteen years on, Musica Gloria has grown from a bunch of kids in music schools to a promising troupe of young, professional musicians. Beniamino acts as de facto band leader, the maestro al cembalo, conducting everyone from behind the harpsichord. Their performances are built on strong historic foundation. Authenticity, however, never gets in the way of musical appeal. “We focus on Baroque repertoire but adapt our formation to measure for each concert. It is essential to tell the audience a fascinating musical story and to let them experience inspiring and heart-warming moments. Personally, I find the best way to do so, is by proposing diverse programmes, showcasing the many facets and sounds of our ensemble. We are rooted in tradition, but the incredible repertoire makes sure that this should never be a constraint.”

Paganini's approach paid off last season, when the Belgian Music Press Union awarded him the title of Best Young Artist. “Just seeing the names of people who came before me, it's an immense honour. It's a very welcome show of support for me and the ensemble, a motivation to keep going, and an incredible opportunity to play in the wonderful Henry Le Bœuf-hall.”