With a strong commitment to innovation and pushing the limits, Ruben Høgh at the same time maintains a solid connection to the historical roots of music. As a pianist and musician, he specializes in new music with a carefully grounded foundation in the classical repertoire.
Ruben is currently a Fulbright scholar studying in the Contemporary Performance Program at Manhattan School of Music in New York under the guidance of Margaret Kampmeier and Anthony de Mare – both new music specialists. He holds a master’s degree in classical piano from The Royal Danish Academy of Music (2016-2023), where he studied with Amalie Malling and Marianna Shirinyan. His studies also included an exchange program at Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf with Paolo Giacometti and later private lessons with Laurent Boullet in Berlin, focusing on the physiological aspects of piano technique.
Ruben performs as a soloist, in chamber music, as a Lied accompanist, and in larger ensemble formations, working with both classical and contemporary repertoire. He is particularly inspired by the dreamy textures and sonic landscapes of post-rock, with the Scottish band Mogwai serving as a significant influence in his exploration of form and expression. This inspiration goes hand in hand with his work in new music and his experimental approach to creating intense concert experiences that both challenge and captivate the audience. Other influences among composers include, among others, Steve Reich, John Adams, Julia Wolfe, O. Messiaen, and D. Shostakovich. His current projects involve the use of extended techniques, prepared piano, and elements of electronic music to explore alternative modes of expression and to challenge both himself and the traditional boundaries of music
In the summer of 2024, Ruben was selected as a fellow at Bang on a Can’s annual summer festival at MASS MoCA, North Adams, fully funded by Art Music Denmark. Here he performed at LOUD Weekend with works by Meredith Monk and Mathew Rosenblum, both of whom he had the opportunity to work directly with at the festival. This experience marked a significant artistic highlight, strengthening his connection to the part of the contemporary music world that particularly motivates him.
Ruben has received numerous grants supporting his artistic development and international studies, including the Léonie Sonnings Talent Prize, the Victor Borge Scholarship, and a scholarship from Fulbright Denmark. In 2021, he also received a special prize for the best performance of a contemporary work at the Osimo International Piano Competition.
With mezzo-soprano Laura Hilden, Ruben has developed a close Lied duo collaboration, which led to first prize at the Rued Langgaard Competition 2022 and critically acclaimed concerts at the Rued Langgaard Festival in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Ruben has performed as a soloist with both the Odense Symphony Orchestra and the Sønderjylland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by conducting students from The Royal Danish Academy of Music, and has played and participated in concerts in countries such as Germany, the USA, Lithuania, Italy, Norway, and Denmark.
