Joseph Summer is many things: composer, world traveler, and founder of the Shakespeare Concerts are just a few of the hats he wears. A longtime Navona Records artist, Joe has released nine albums in his Shakespeare Concerts series, which highlight the works of the Bard in new settings and contemporary arrangements. His latest albums with Navona include WHO IS SYLVIA (released May 8, 2020) and MUSIC TO HEAR (May 22, 2020).
But no one can tell you about the music and its backstory better than the artist himself. We recently caught up with Joe to discuss his latest music, why he created the Shakespeare Concerts, and more.
Original interview recorded March 2020
Thank you Joe for taking the time to speak with PARMA!
Explore Joe’s Latest Releases
Joseph Summer began playing French horn at the age of 7. While attending the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina at age 14 he studied composition with the eminent Czech composer Karel Husa. At age 15 he was accepted at Oberlin Conservatory, studied with Richard Hoffmann, Schönberg’s amanuensis, and graduated with a B.M. in Music Composition in 1976. Recruited by Robert Page, Dean of the Music Department at Carnegie Mellon University, Summer taught music theory at CMU before leaving to pursue composition full time.
