Rodrigo Ruiz

Hailed as ‘an astonishing composing talent’ (Apple Music), Rodrigo Ruiz’s music, streamed in 150+ countries in the five inhabited continents of the globe, fills a void left by most new music. This ‘unabashedly tonal’ (BBC Music Magazine) and ‘impeccably crafted [music]’ (Apple Music), instantly appeals to musicians and audiences alike, but doesn’t wear after repeated listening. Perhaps this explains why it is in high demand amongst top artists and ensembles around the world.

Rodrigo’s award-winning compositions are published by Universal Edition, with recent commissions coming from soprano Grace Davidson, violinist Kerenza Peacock, violist Ismel Campos, and Mexico’s National System of Musical Endowment (SNFM). His works have been performed in three continents by world-class musicians and ensembles the likes of Huw Watkins MBE, Laura van der Heijden (BBC Young Musician Award 2012), Christopher Glynn (GRAMMY® Award Winner), Francesca Chiejina, Jocelyn Freeman, Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México, Alison Farr, Massimo Spada, José Miguel Rodilla, Iván del Prado and Rodrigo Sierra Moncayo, to name a few.

As part of Signum Classics star-studded artist roster he made his debut in 2021 on the Billboard Classical Charts with his album Behold the Stars, which quickly positioned itself as iTunes UK № 2 Bestseller, and iTunes US № 3 Bestseller; it was included in Apple Music’s Top 10 Albums of the Month, and given a stellar review (★★★★) from BBC Music Magazine.

In 2002, just shy of 14 at the time, the Mexican composer won the State of Baja California’s Outstanding Composition Award at the Second Piano Biennal Competition. In 2008, still in his teens, he became the first generation of Young Artist Fellows at Talentos Artísticos: Valores de Baja California, a programme of Mexico’s Cultural Institute of Baja California (ICBC).

Rodrigo holds a Bachelor of Music cum laude in Piano Performance from Lawrence University and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan where he was the recipient of the merit-based scholarship of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, studying under Kenneth Kiesler. He then spent five years specialising in composition under the eminent Francesco Telli of the Conservatorio Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. Later, through the generous help of the prestigious Joseph Campbell Scholarship, he attended the intensive Mythological Studies programme at Pacifica Graduate Institute during 2020/21.

Besides composing, Rodrigo conducts —he was assistant conductor in Naxos Records’ recording of Milhaud: L’Orestie d’Eschyle, nominated for the 2015 GRAMMY® Awards for Best Opera Recording— and writes about music and mythology. He is fascinated by literature and languages; he speaks fluent Spanish, English, French and Italian, as well as some German.