Robert Ek

Robert Ek is a clarinettist specialising in contemporary music as both a chamber musician and soloist. He has performed and collaborated internationally with a wide range of musicians, composers and conductors, driven by a deep curiosity to expand the repertoire of his instrument. His artistic collaborations have also included writers, choreographers and filmmakers, always exploring the liminal spaces between the arts.
In recent years, his work has focused on live electronics and the development of the clarinet as an augmented instrument. Since 2019, Robert has been a PhD candidate at Luleå University of Technology (LTU). At the core of his doctoral project lies an iterative process in which new electroacoustic instrumental systems are designed, tested and applied in collaborative settings and artistic practice.
He has recorded approximately 20 albums and has premiered a substantial number of works as both a soloist and chamber musician. Since 2007, he has been a member of the acclaimed ensemble Norrbotten NEO – Sweden’s only ensemble with a national mandate to work with contemporary music. In 2012, the ensemble received the FST Interpretation Prize for its contributions to contemporary music.
Robert Ek has toured throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, and has appeared at festivals such as Warsaw Autumn, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, June in Buffalo, Faithful (Berlin), ISCM World Music Daysin Stockholm and Tallinn, Musica Viva (Lisbon) as well as the Beijing Contemporary Music Festival.