Jürgen Ruck

Professor Jürgen Ruck serves as Vice President and Professor of Guitar at the University of Music Würzburg, where he has led the Guitar Department for 30 years. An internationally renowned guitarist, he has shaped contemporary music through landmark collaborations with Ensemble Modern and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, premiering seminal works by Zappa, Zender, Lachenmann, and Rihm.

Ruck's artistic practice spans from 16th-century repertoire to cutting-edge contemporary compositions, with particular focus on New Music collaborations. His "Caprichos Goyescos" project features solo guitar works inspired by Goya's etchings, commissioned from leading composers including Heusinger, Sánchez Verdú, and Milliken. Hans Werner Henze praised his "great poetic musicality" and technical mastery, entrusting him with premieres of new guitar compositions.

His accolades include:

• ECHO KLASSIK 2000 for recording Hans Werner Henze's guitar works with Elena Cásoli

As an educator, Ruck has mentored generations of guitarists through his Würzburg studio and leadership of the Darmstadt Summer Courses for New Music. His academic work integrates artistic practice with quality management and institutional promotion, reflecting his dual role as performer and administrator.

Ruck maintains active artistic partnerships with major ensembles including Ensemble Modern, Berlin Philharmonic, Scharoun Ensemble, and London Sinfonietta, regularly commissioning and premiering new works while expanding the guitar's repertoire through interdisciplinary collaborations.