As a guitarist and a vocalist Chris has explored very different styles. These are reflected in Chris’s composing style, which, in general, is a synthesis of classical, jazz and world music. He focuses on music for guitar and chamber music that includes his beloved instrument. He mainly composes and arranges for the ensembles he is playing in and pieces with educational purposes. In some of his compositions he is relying on the improvisation skills of the performers, a musical skill that, although quite unusual for a classically trained musician, Chris has a high interest for.
AWARDS
The album “The Yellow Duck” (Chris Ruebens Ensemble), for which Chris wrote all compositions was rewarded a first prize at the international 13th Independent Music Awards Vox Pop in the category instrumental music in 2014. In 2015 an international jury of composers of the 3rd Acerra Guitar Composition competition has awarded his “Fantasy No. 1” for solo guitar with a first prize!
PIECES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
Belgian publishing house Auurk Ed. has used several of Chris’s pieces in her guitar methods “Gitaar horizon 2” and “Gitaar horizon 3” and the renewed versions “De Nieuwe Gitaar Horizon 3” and “De Nieuwe Gitaar Horizon 4” and has published several seperate pieces and collections for the young guitar students. A full list of Chris’s works published by Auurk you’ll find here.
List of the most recent publications:
“10 Etudes Concertantes” (2021) 
guitar
Score and audio
“Land of Hope” (2021)
flute, violin, flute
Score and audio
“Down in the Valley” (2021)
three guitars
Score and audio
“King Arthur Suite” (2021)
guitar; two guitars
Score and audio
COMPOSITIONS
Not all compositions or arrangements have been published as they were composed for improvising ensembles like Luz de luna and Chris Ruebens Ensemble, as mentioned above. Published compositions (or waiting to be published) are written for classical guitar solo, guitar and string orchestra, guitar and violin, guitar quartet, guitar quartet and string orchestra, three guitars and ukulele.
“Amigo” (1997)
guitar
A dedication to the flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo.
Published by “Auurk ed”
Score and audio
“Summer Dance“ (2008)
four guitars
Chris’s first piece for the Baltic Guitar Quartet and one of the quartet’s all time favorites. It appeared on the BGQ album Dancing with guitar (2008) and later again on “Tradicion nuevo” (2013) in an arrangement for four guitars, double bass and bansuri flute.
Score and audio
Youtube
Published by Auurk Ed
“Gitana linda” (2009)
four guitars
In “Gitana linda” echoe sounds of modern flamenco. This composition includes an effective percussive middle part and leaves space for improvisation. “Gitana linda” was recorded on the Baltic Guitar Quartet album “Tradicion Nuevo” (2013).
Score and audio
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
“Fenestrae” (2010)
four guitars
The starting point for this composition was a short a capella choral for four voices inspired by the Flemish polyphony of the 16th century and that can be heard at the end of the piece. “Fenestrae” was recorded on the Baltic Guitar Quartet album “Tradicion Nuevo” (2013).
Score
Youtube
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
“Jolie folie” (2011)
four guitars
Balkan music meets gypsy jazz, with a small theatrical joke in the middle.
Score
Audio
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
“I Guess I’ll Sleep on It” (2013)
four guitars, trumpet (optional) and double bass (optional)
Minimalistic piece with jazz influences.
Score
Youtube
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
“Fantasy No.1” (2016)
guitar
This piece was composed using motives that were taken from free improvisation recordings. This piece was awarded with a first prize by international jury of composers of the 3rd Acerra Guitar Composition competition.
Score
Youtube
Published by Edizioni Esarmonia
“Fantasy No. 2” (2018)
guitar and violin
This fantasy appeared on the album “Musique Belgique Gitarique 2” (2021) by Jan Sanen and Veerle Van Roosbroeck, an album presenting music for guitar and violin by Belgian composers. It was premiered on October 17th, 2021 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (Belgium).
Audio
To be published soon
“Save It for a Rainy Day” (2021)
guitar
This lighthearted piece for guitar was based on a little riff developed on the ukulele and was premiered on May 8th, 2021 during a TV show on Lithuanian national television. The piece is suited for both classical and steel-string guitar.
Score
Youtube
Published by Les Productions d’Oz
