Joey Roukens

Joey Roukens studied both classical composition at Rotterdam Conservatoire (now: Codarts) and psychology at Leiden University. Since graduating in 2006, he has emerged as one of the most notable and widely played Dutch contemporary composers of his generation. His output includes orchestral works, ensemble works, chamber music, solo instrumental works and opera and ballet music.

Roukens’ music is direct, whimsical, layered and eclectic. He likes to combine different styles, lets various genres recur in his pieces and is therefore not afraid to use elements of pop, jazz or electronic music in his compositions. In all his pieces, however, Roukens strives to create a coherent musical language that continues to sound organic.

Roukens’ works have been performed by renowned ensembles and musicians at home and abroad, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Tokyo Sinfonietta, the Netherlands Chamber Choir, the ‘piano brothers’ Jussen and British percussionist Colin Currie.