Photo: Hreinn Gudlaugsson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · credits

Tier 3 · vertical & regional

Poul Ruders

Person · male · Kingdom of Denmark · Ringsted · born 1949 · recording since 1988

Danish composer (born 1949)

contemporary classical music opera

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Also known as 波尔·鲁德斯

Debut: 1988
Recording span: 38 years
Release groups: 22
Awards: 4
Timeline events: 27
Wiki language versions: 16

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Timeline

27 events▣ Album 21✦ Award 4◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1

1940s
1. 27 March 1949 · Birth
  Born 1949-03-27
  source: wikidata
1980s
1. 1987 · Award
  Won: Q57408640
  source: wikidata
2. 1988 · Debut release
  Debut release: Corpus Cum Figuris, Thus Saw St. John, Manhattan Abstraction
  First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
  source: musicbrainz
3. 1988 · Album
  Album: Corpus Cum Figuris, Thus Saw St. John, Manhattan Abstraction
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
1990s
1. 1991 · Award
  Won: Royal Philharmonic Society Award (Large-Scale Composition)
  source: wikidata
2. December 1993 · Album
  Album: Violin Concerto no. 2 / Dramaphonia
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
3. 1997 · Album
  Album: Dramaphonia / Corpus Cum Figuris / Four Dances In One Movement
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
4. February 1997 · Album
  Album: The Solar Trilogy
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
5. 1998 · Award
  Won: Statens Kunstfonds hædersydelse
  source: wikidata
6. March 1999 · Album
  Album: Symphony No. 2 / Piano Concerto
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
7. April 1999 · Album
  Album: A Drummer's Tale, Episode 2
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
2000s
1. 2000 · Album
  Album: Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion / Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations)
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
2. October 2000 · Album
  Album: Tjenerindens Fortælling (The Handmaid's Tale)
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
3. May 2001 · Album
  Album: Piano Works
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
4. 2002 · Album
  Album: Paganini Variations / The City in the Sea / Anima
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
5. 2003 · Album
  Album: Guitar Concertos & Solos
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
6. May 2009 · Album
  Album: Concertos
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
2010s
1. 2010 · Award
  Won: Knight of the 1st Class of the Order of the Dannebrog
  source: wikidata
2. 8 March 2011 · Album
  Album: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Bel Canto / Serenade On The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
3. 2012 · Album
  Album: Offred Suite / Tundra / Symphony No. 3 "Dreamcatcher"
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
4. 2016 · Album
  Album: Symphony No. 5
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
5. 2018 · Album
  Album: Occam's Razor
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
6. 2019 · Album
  Album: The Thirteenth Child
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
7. 2019 · Album
  Album: Poul Ruders Edition, vol. 15: Piano Concerto no. 3 "Paganini Variations" / Cembal D'Amore, Second Book / Kafkapriccio
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
2020s
1. 2021 · Album
  Album: Dream Catcher
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
2. September 2022 · Album
  Album: Clarinet Quintet / Throne / Piano Quartet
  Album
  source: musicbrainz
3. 10 April 2026 · Album
  Album: New Nordic: Pocket Concertos
  Album
  source: musicbrainz

Biography

English biography358 words · 3 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1370796011

Biography

Poul Ruders (born 27 March 1949) is a Danish composer.

Life

Born in Ringsted, Ruders trained as an organist, and studied orchestration with Karl Aage Rasmussen. Ruders's first compositions date from the mid-1960s. Ruders regards his own compositional development as a gradual one, with his true voice emerging with the chamber concerto, Four Compositions, of 1980. His notable students include Marc Mellits.
Minor planet 5888 Ruders discovered by Eleanor Helin and Schelte J. Bus is named after him.

Music

Ruders has created a large body of music ranging from opera and orchestral works through chamber, vocal and solo music in a variety of styles, from the Vivaldi pastiche of his first violin concerto (1981) to the explosive modernism of Manhattan Abstraction (1982).
Other works include the operas Tycho (1986), The Handmaid's Tale (1998, with libretto by Paul Bentley), Proces Kafka / Kafka's Trial (2005, again with libretto by Bentley), Selma Ježková (2007, after Trier's Dancer in the Dark), and the fairytale opera The Thirteenth Child (2016), five symphonies, four string quartets, Violin Concerto No. 1 (1981), Etude and Ricercare (1994) for guitar, for David Starobin, The Bells (songs) with Lucy Shelton, soprano, and the Christmas Gospel (1994) and two piano sonatas; Abysm (2000) for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Ruders has written several works for the American guitarist and promoter of new music David Starobin: Psalmodies (1989) and Paganini Variations for guitar and orchestra (1999–2000), and Psalmodies Suite (1990), Etude and Ricercare (1994) and Chaconne (1996) for solo guitar. Ruders has composed a Concerto in Pieces (1995), which is a set of variations on the "Witches' Chorus" from Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas.
His fourth symphony, An organ symphony, (with a significant part for organ) was a joint international commission by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The world premiere took place in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, Texas, 20 January 2011.
Writing about Ruders, the English critic Stephen Johnson states: "He can be gloriously, explosively extrovert one minute – withdrawn, haunted, intently inward-looking the next. Super-abundant high spirits alternate with pained, almost expressionistic lyricism; simplicity and directness with astringent irony."

Discography & profile

Normalised profile

Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.

Normalised profile metrics with percentile rank
Metric	Value	Percentile
Wikipedia language versions	16	74.5th
Spotify monthly listeners	—	no data
Release groups in DB	22	87.8th
Studio albums	21	96.7th
Awards recorded	4	96.3th
Timeline events	27	96.1th
Recording span (years)	38	78th
Genres	4	84.7th

Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.

Discography (22 release groups · 21 studio albums)

Albums · 21

Corpus Cum Figuris, Thus Saw St. John, Manhattan Abstraction
1988 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 48:46
1Corpus Cum Figuris18:10
2The Saw St. John (Saaledes Saae Johannes)10:58
3Manhattan Abstraction19:38
Violin Concerto no. 2 / Dramaphonia
1993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:01:08
1Violin Concerto no. 2: I. Ostinato - Ritornello5:46
2Violin Concerto no. 2: II. Tranquillo - Ritorenello10:57
3Violin Concerto no. 2: III. Appassionato - Ritornello10:40
4Violin Concerto no. 2: IV. Finale prestissimo - Ritornello6:09
5Drama Trilogy: Dramaphonia: Dark - Sinister - Nervous - Bleak - Crisp - Spiky - Frozen12:30
6Drama Trilogy: Dramaphonia: Soft and Chorale Like - Cadenza5:24
7Drama Trilogy: Dramaphonia: Forward - Jagged - Bleak - Smooth - Frozen - Cadenza - Quick - Jagged - Marching - Frantic - Frenzy9:42
Dramaphonia / Corpus Cum Figuris / Four Dances In One Movement
1997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 1:10:08
14 Dances in 1 Movement: I. Whispering1:34
24 Dances in 1 Movement: II. Rocking5:11
34 Dances in 1 Movement: III. Exstatic4:03
44 Dances in 1 Movement: IV. Extravagant8:34
5Drama Trilogy, Dramaphonia: Drama Trilogy, No. 1: Dramaphonia31:23
6Corpus cum figuris19:23
The Solar Trilogy
1997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 1:06:12
1Gong18:59
2Zenith26:04
3Corona21:09
Symphony No. 2 / Piano Concerto
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 55:11
1Symphony No. 2, "Symphony and Transformation": Leggiero alla breve27:56
2Piano Concerto: Grazioso10:24
3Piano Concerto: Larghetto intimo12:36
4Piano Concerto: Rondo prestissimo4:15
A Drummer's Tale, Episode 2
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 52:07
1Regime7:47
2Fingerprint I1:31
3Alarm7:27
4Fingerprint II2:01
5Cha Cha Cha7:58
6Fingerprint III1:44
7Towards the Precipice23:39
Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion / Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations)
2000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 55:47
1Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion: I. Playful8:52
2Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion: II. Sad, simple; warm10:35
3Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion: III. ♩= ca. 1005:10
4Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation I, Vivace maestoso0:54
5Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation II, Vivace scherzando1:07
6Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation III, Parlando alla breve1:29
7Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation IV, Largo recitativo2:29
8Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation V, Allegretto capriccioso1:12
9Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation VI, Martellato feroce1:21
10Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation VII, Andante lamentoso1:53
11Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation VIII, Adagio lontano2:25
12Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation IX, Intermezzo1:04
13Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Variation X, Finale fugato, Vivace3:31
14Poul Ruders on his background and Concerto in Pieces6:47
15Melinda Wagner on her background and Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion6:58
Tjenerindens Fortælling (The Handmaid's Tale)
2000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 43 tracks · 2:23:49
Disc 121 tracks · 1:17:45
1Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Symposium Prologue (2195 AD) (Offred, Handmaids)5:12
2Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): The Red Centre Prelude, Scene 1: The Classroom (Lydia, Handmaids, Offred, Janine)4:30
3Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): The Red Centre Prelude, Scene 2: The Dormitory (Offred, Moira, Janine, Handmaids)4:09
4Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): The Red Centre Prelude, Scene 3: The Classroom (Lydia, Handmaids)3:24
5Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): The Red Centre Prelude, Scene 4: The Washroom (Lydia, Offred, Moira, Moira's Aunt)2:12
6Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): The Red Centre Prelude, Scene 5: Graduation In the Assembly Hall (Lydia, Aunts, Handmaids)3:18
7Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 1: The Wall (Offred)1:47
8Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 2: The House In the Day (Offred, Serena Joy, Rita)1:47
9Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 3: Offred's Bedroom (Offred, Rita, Serena Joy, Luke, the Double)4:29
10Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 4A: The Kitchen (Rita, the Double, Moira, Offred)1:35
11Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 4B: The Walk to the Shops (Offred, Ofglen, Econowives, Handmaids, Guardian)4:13
12Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 5: The Wall (Offred, Ofglen)4:05
13Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 6: The Doctor (Doctor, Offred)8:22
14Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 7: The House In the Day (Nick, Lydia, Offred's Mother, Luke, the Double, Offred)6:22
15Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 8: Offred's Bedroom (Lydia, the Double, Luke, Offred)3:42
16Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 9: Joy's Sitting Room (Offred's Mother, the Double, Rita, Offred, Nick, Serena Joy, the Commander, Chorus) -5:13
17Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 9 (continued): The Ceremony0:42
18Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 10: Offred's Bedroom (Nick, Offred)1:19
19Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 11: The Red Centre Assembly Hall (Handmaids, Wives, Lydia, Guards, Janine, Moira, Luke, the Double, Warren's Wife)8:29
20Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 12: The Commander's Study (The Commander, Offred)2:09
21Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act I Scene 13: Offred's Bedroom (Offred)0:46
Disc 222 tracks · 1:06:04
1Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 1: Offred's Bedroom (Rita, Offred)1:29
2Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 2: The Study At Night (The Commander, Offred, Nick)2:29
3Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 3: Joy's Sitting Room (Serena Joy, Offred, the Commander)1:05
4Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 4A: The Kitchen (Rita, the Double, Moira, Luke)1:40
5Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 4B: The Walk to the Shops (Offred, Ofglen, a Handmaid, Janine / Ofwarren)6:14
6Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 5: The Wall (Guards, Ofglen, Offred)1:56
7Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 6: The House At Night (The Double, Luke, the Commander)5:30
8Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 7: The Wall (Guard, Luke, Ofglen, Offred)4:55
9Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 8: The House (Serena Joy, Offred)1:26
10Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 9: Offred's Bedroom (Offred, the Double, Lydia)6:55
11Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 10: The Study (The Commander, Offred, Nick)2:39
12Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 11: Jezebel's (The Commander, Offred, the Commander X)2:24
13Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 12: Jezebel's Restroom (Moira, Offred, a Girl)1:50
14Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 13: Jezebel's Bedroom (The Commander, Offred)1:53
15Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 14: Joy's Sitting Room (Serena Joy, Nick)0:32
16Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 15: Offred's Bedroom (Serena Joy, Offred)1:22
17Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 15: Offred's Bedroom (continued) (Offred, Nick)4:52
18Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 16: The Salvaging (Wives, Handmaids, Lydia, Guards, a Man, Offred, Ofglen)5:44
19Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 17: The Wall (New Ofglen, Offred)2:35
20Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 18: The House (Serena Joy, Offred)1:26
21Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II Scene 19: Quartet. the House (Offred, Serena Joy, the Commander, Rita, Nick, Eyes)4:38
22Tjenerindens Fortaelling (The Handmaid's Tale): Act II: Postlude [- Symposium Epilogue (2195 AD)]2:30
Piano Works
2001 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 1:09:13
1Star-Prelude and Love-Fugue: Leggiero e staccato3:01
2Star-Prelude and Love-Fugue: Swinging2:47
3Piano Sonata No. 1, "Dante Sonata": Maestoso13:37
4Piano Sonata No. 1, "Dante Sonata": Grave molto11:19
53 Letters from the Unknown Soldier: March5:19
63 Letters from the Unknown Soldier: Bells3:55
73 Letters from the Unknown Soldier: Prayer2:17
8Piano Sonata No. 2: Vivace e ritmico7:39
9Piano Sonata No. 2: Tempo di sarabande6:18
10Piano Sonata No. 2: Leggiero e elegante3:35
11Piano Sonata No. 2: Monumentale e senza espressione9:26
Paganini Variations / The City in the Sea / Anima
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 25 tracks · 57:40
1Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Tema. Quasi presto0:17
2Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 1,0:17
3Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 2,0:17
4Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 3,0:25
5Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 4,0:41
6Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 5,0:47
7Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 6,0:18
8Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 7,0:22
9Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 8,0:51
10Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 9,0:22
11Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 10,0:32
12Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 11,0:31
13Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 12,0:41
14Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 13,0:56
15Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 14,1:39
16Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 15,0:28
17Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 16,0:26
18Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 17,0:46
19Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 18,0:48
20Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 19,0:26
21Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 20,2:23
22Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 21,0:38
23Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 22, Finale prestissimo3:08
24The City in the Sea (Version for Contralto & Orchestra)16:29
25Cello Concerto No. 2 (Anima)23:12
Guitar Concertos & Solos
2003 · studio album
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Tracklist · 37 tracks · 1:05:15
1Psalmodies: I. Entrance for One2:14
2Psalmodies: II. Solo for Two1:30
3Psalmodies: III. Six in the Air1:23
4Psalmodies: IV. A Fanfare for All2:21
5Psalmodies: V. With Passion for All2:39
6Psalmodies: VI. A Chorale and a Song3:06
7Psalmodies: VII. Cadenza for One1:58
8Psalmodies: VIII. Cadenza for All3:08
9Psalmodies: IX. A March of Light and Darkness3:05
10Psalmodies: X. A Prayer with Halo4:17
11Psalmodies: XI. Exit for One2:53
12Etude & Ricercare: I. Etude2:59
13Etude & Ricercare: II. Ricercare10:45
14Chaconne4:58
15Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Tema. Quasi presto0:17
16Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 1,0:17
17Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 2,0:17
18Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 3,0:25
19Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 4,0:41
20Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 5,0:47
21Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 6,0:18
22Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 7,0:22
23Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 8,0:51
24Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 9,0:22
25Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 10,0:32
26Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 11,0:31
27Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 12,0:41
28Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 13,0:56
29Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 14,1:39
30Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 15,0:28
31Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 16,0:26
32Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 17,0:46
33Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 18,0:48
34Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 19,0:26
35Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 20,2:23
36Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 21,0:38
37Guitar Concerto No. 2 (Paganini Variations): Var. 22, Finale prestissimo3:08
Concertos
2009 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:06:55
1Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation I, Vivace maestoso0:52
2Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation II, Vivace scherzando1:03
3Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation III, Parlando alla breve1:30
4Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation IV, Largo recitativo2:34
5Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation V, Allegretto capriccioso1:15
6Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation VI, Martellato feroce1:11
7Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation VII, Andante lamentoso1:49
8Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation VIII, Adagio lontano2:31
9Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation IX, Intermezzo1:09
10Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations): Theme and Variation X, Finale fugato vivace3:34
11Violin Concerto No. 1: I. Echi d'una Primavera9:12
12Violin Concerto No. 1: II. Ninna-nanna4:54
13Violin Concerto No. 1: III. Ciaccona d'Inverno4:24
14Monodrama (Drama Trilogy II for percussion and orchestra)30:57
Piano Concerto No. 2 / Bel Canto / Serenade On The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean
2011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:04:02
1Piano Concerto No. 2: I. Fluente9:36
2Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Semplice9:40
3Piano Concerto No. 2: III. Avanti risoluto4:47
4Bel canto6:31
5Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: I. Introduction3:16
6Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: II. One Voice in the Cosmic Fugue6:12
7Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: III. Floating on the Wind2:49
8Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: IV. The Backbone of the Night2:54
9Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: V. Stardust2:14
10Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: VI. Threnos7:30
11Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: VII. Dream Catcher4:12
12Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: VIII. Heart of Darkness2:23
13Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: IX. Finale. Blinded by the Light1:58
Offred Suite / Tundra / Symphony No. 3 "Dreamcatcher"
2012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 51:47
1Offred Suite: I. My Story.3:16
2Offred Suite: II. What Was That?2:27
3Offred Suite: III. E'vry Moon6:33
4Offred Suite: IV. I Would Like.3:58
5Offred Suite: V. Whether This Is.1:08
6Offred Suite: VI. Postlude2:57
7Tundra5:05
8Symphony No. 3 "Dream Catcher": I. Alla breve con brio - Adagio sognante15:30
9Symphony No. 3 "Dream Catcher": II. Scherzo prestissimo10:53
Symphony No. 5
2016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 26:30
1Symphony No. 5: I. Presto alla breve9:47
2Symphony No. 5: II. Tranquillo sognante10:27
3Symphony No. 5: III. Avanti danzante6:16
Occam's Razor
2018 · studio album
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Tracklist · 34 tracks · 52:29
1Pages: No. 6, Simple2:04
2Pages: No. 5, Stealthy0:41
3Three for Two: No. 3, Cantus Firmus III2:19
4Occam's Razor: No. 1, Fanfarish1:26
5Occam's Razor: No. 2, Melancholic1:55
6Occam's Razor: No. 3, Bright1:24
7Occam's Razor: No. 4, Hesitant1:35
8Occam's Razor: No. 5, Lonesome2:17
9Occam's Razor: No. 6, Ostinato1:40
10Occam's Razor: No. 7, Ragged2:35
11Occam's Razor: No. 8, Occam's Razor1:05
12Pages: No. 10, Romantic2:00
13Three for Two: No. 2, Cantus Firmus II1:26
14Air with Changes (Version for 4 Guitars)5:23
15Pages: No. 2, Rocking0:42
16Pages: No. 3, Gentle0:42
17Pages: No. 8, Nimble1:05
18New Rochelle Suite: I. Grand Opening1:00
19New Rochelle Suite: II. Kafka1:34
20New Rochelle Suite: III. Thanksgiving1:15
21New Rochelle Suite: IV. Night Tango2:26
22New Rochelle Suite: V. Stampede0:46
23Schrödinger's Cat: No. 1, Canon I0:56
24Schrödinger's Cat: No. 2, Canon II0:38
25Schrödinger's Cat: No. 3, Canon III1:05
26Schrödinger's Cat: No. 4, Canon IV1:05
27Schrödinger's Cat: No. 5, Canon V0:57
28Schrödinger's Cat: No. 6, Canon VI1:12
29Schrödinger's Cat: No. 7, Canon VII1:13
30Schrödinger's Cat: No. 8, Canon VIII0:32
31Schrödinger's Cat: No. 9, Canon IX2:21
32Schrödinger's Cat: No. 10, Canon X1:30
33Schrödinger's Cat: No. 11, Canon XI2:22
34Schrödinger's Cat: No. 12, Canon XII1:18
The Thirteenth Child
2019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 27 tracks · 1:17:50
1The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: Drokan's Warning (Hjarne, Drokan, Twelve Princes)3:29
2The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: Our House Endures (Hjarne, Twelve Princes, Gertrude)2:26
3The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: The Softest Spoken (Hjarne, Gertrude)2:20
4The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: What is this Madness? (Gertrude, Hjarne)1:37
5The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: Lilies, Red as Blood (Gertrude, Hjarne)3:54
6The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: The Night Air Groans (Hjarne)2:52
7The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: The Trembling of the Earth (Drokan)1:32
8The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene I: Interlude I0:44
9The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene II: Hijarne's Funeral (Mourners, Frederic, Drokan, Lyra, Gertrude)5:08
10The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene II: Interlude II0:43
11The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene III: Twelve Brothers (Gertrude, Lyra)4:43
12The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene III: The Lilies of Frohagord (Gertrude, Lyra)5:21
13The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene III: Interlude III0:27
14The Thirteenth Child: Act I, scene III: Oh, Mother (Lyra)4:23
15The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene I: The Forrest (Lyra, Benjamin)7:05
16The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene I: Food Song (Toke, Corbin, Benjamin and their nine brothers)2:08
17The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene I: A Riddle (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, nine brothers)1:42
18The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene I: My Secret (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, nine brothers)3:11
19The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene II: The Spell (The Ghost of Gertrude, Lyra)6:33
20The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene III: Interlude IV0:26
21The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene III: Light and Shadows (Townsfolk of Hauven, Drokan, Frederic)2:06
22The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene III: Frederic's Return (Frederic, Drokan, Townfolks)2:12
23The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene III: Keep My Beloved Safe (Frederic, Drokan)1:20
24The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene IV: Fierce Winds of Change (Drokan)3:45
25The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene IV: The Lilies Bloom (Lyra, Corbin)4:14
26The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene IV: The Shadows Lift (Benjamin)2:07
27The Thirteenth Child: Act II, scene IV: Together We Will Heal (Lyra, Frederic, Toke, Corbin, Brothers, Townfolk)1:22
Poul Ruders Edition, vol. 15: Piano Concerto no. 3 "Paganini Variations" / Cembal D'Amore, Second Book / Kafkapriccio
2019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 59:34
1Piano Concerto No. 3 "Paganini Variations"18:15
2Cembal d'amore, Book 2: I. Prologue0:57
3Cembal d'amore, Book 2: II. Allemande3:44
4Cembal d'amore, Book 2: III. Corrente I2:25
5Cembal d'amore, Book 2: IV. Corrente II0:53
6Cembal d'amore, Book 2: V. Air3:48
7Cembal d'amore, Book 2: VI. Menuet3:09
8Cembal d'amore, Book 2: VII. Gigue2:18
9Cembal d'amore, Book 2: VIII. Epilogue2:40
10Kafkapriccio: I. Kafka5:41
11Kafkapriccio: II. Felice4:43
12Kafkapriccio: III. Leni2:13
13Kafkapriccio: IV. Josef1:41
14Kafkapriccio: V. The Execution7:07
Dream Catcher
2021 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:00:43
1Sound and Simplicity: I. Rain3:41
2Sound and Simplicity: II. Trance4:00
3Sound and Simplicity: III. Haiku0:24
4Sound and Simplicity: IV. Smoke6:57
5Sound and Simplicity: V. Song Link6:07
6Sound and Simplicity: VI. Twilight4:09
7Sound and Simplicity: VII. Wolf Moon4:19
8Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean: VII. Dream Catcher (Arr. B. Mogensen for Accordion Solo)4:33
9Symphony No. 3 “Dream Catcher”: I. Alla breve con brio15:33
10Symphony No. 3 “Dream Catcher”: II. Scherzo prestissimo11:00
Clarinet Quintet / Throne / Piano Quartet
2022 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 58:35
1Clarinet Quintet: I. Avanti alla breve5:26
2Clarinet Quintet: II. Adagio sognante9:42
3Clarinet Quintet: III. Animato5:33
4Throne14:21
5Piano Quartet: I. Awakening7:42
6Piano Quartet: II. Innocent7:35
7Piano Quartet: III. Sprightly4:00
8Piano Quartet: IV. Translucent4:16
New Nordic: Pocket Concertos
2026 · studio album
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Tracklist · 19 tracks · 1:33:17
1The Four Seasons: I. Autumn3:27
2The Four Seasons: II. Winter3:06
3The Four Seasons: III. Spring2:53
4The Four Seasons: IV. Summer3:14
5Broken Inua14:22
6Apollo – The Ukrainian Violin Concerto12:48
7Pocket Concerto: I. Romanza2:16
8Pocket Concerto: II. Passione2:11
9Pocket Concerto: III. Aria2:47
10Erda12:01
11Rósan í vetrarljósi: I. Ein rósa á køldum vetri3:17
12Rósan í vetrarljósi: II. Tann rósan spretti fram7:35
13Rósan í vetrarljósi: III. Ein ljósglæma á myrkum vetri4:27
14Songs, Games & Dances: I. A Slow Chorale That Soon Morphs into a Disorientated Dance2:24
15Songs, Games & Dances: II. An Interrupted, Anxious Violin Melody Finds Peace in a Little Lullaby2:54
16Songs, Games & Dances: III. A Quiet, Silvery Song. Perhaps an Echo of a Beautiful Bird2:41
17Songs, Games & Dances: IV. A Dreamy Memory of a Mid‐20th‐Century Love‐Song2:12
18Songs, Games & Dances: V. A Yearning Violin Melody Grows Increasingly Agitated, Accompanied by Static Ensemble Music4:07
19Songs, Games & Dances: VI. A Fiery Cadenza Sets the Tone for the Coda, a Rhythmic and Slightly Obsessive, Yet Playful Dance4:35

Album · 1

Album release groups, by first release date
Cover	Year	Title	Notes	First release
	2005	Kafka's TrialSearch Spotify Search YouTube Music Tracklist · 27 tracks · 2:05:16 Disc 112 tracks · 1:04:21 1Kafka's Trial: Prelude26:03 2Kafka's Trial: Joseph K.'s lodgings - 1 June - Morning - The arrest8:22 3Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 11:48 4Kafka's Trial: The bank - Later that morning - Two more surprises2:32 5Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 20:36 6Kafka's Trial: Joseph K.'s lodgings - Later that night - A talk with Miss Bürstner7:22 7Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 30:24 8Kafka's Trial: Sunday morning - A street, then an attic hall - First interrogation8:43 9Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 41:20 10Kafka's Trial: A week later - K.'s lodgings - Miss Bürstner sends a message2:28 11Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 20:38 12Kafka's Trial: The bank - Evening - The flogger and Uncle Albert4:05 Disc 215 tracks · 1:00:55 1Kafka's Trial: Scene 62:46 2Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 60:47 3Kafka's Trial: The same night - Lawyer huld and Leni8:13 4Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 70:15 5Kafka's Trial: Autumn - Morning - The cathedral8:52 6Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 81:03 7Kafka's Trial: The bank and Huld's place - A spring afternoon - Thoughts about the bank and lawyer Huld3:58 8Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 90:11 9Kafka's Trial: Sunset the same day - Fog - Titorelli7:42 10Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 100:37 11Kafka's Trial: That night - Lawyer Huld's place - Dismissal of Huld3:30 12Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 112:04 13Kafka's Trial: The bank - 1 June - A visit to mother6:03 14Kafka's Trial: Counter-scene 12: The tribunal - 12 July 19149:53 15Kafka's Trial: Moonlight night - A quarry - The execution5:01	Live	2005

Stats & PK

Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Poul Ruders head-to-head →

Poul Ruders metrics with percentile rank among published artists
Metric	Value	Percentile
Wikipedia language versions	16	74.5th
Spotify monthly listeners	—	no data
Release groups in DB	22	87.8th
Studio albums	21	96.7th
Awards recorded	4	96.3th
Timeline events	27	96.1th
Recording span (years)	38	78th
Genres	4	84.7th

Awards & honours

Awards and honours, by year
Year	Award	Result
1987	Q57408640	won
1991	Royal Philharmonic Society Award (Large-Scale Composition)	won
1998	Statens Kunstfonds hædersydelse	won
2010	Knight of the 1st Class of the Order of the Dannebrog	won

Where this record comes from

portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poul-ruders01.jpg
aliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/8da6e04f-58bb-4681-a954-3c0f22cfdfbe
discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/8da6e04f-58bb-4681-a954-3c0f22cfdfbe
core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2429164
genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2429164
seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poul_Ruders
biography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poul_Ruders

Why this artist is in the database

List of composers by name

Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Hreinn Gudlaugsson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q2429164 · MusicBrainz: 8da6e04f-58bb-4681-a954-3c0f22cfdfbe

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