Michael Summers

Michael Summers

I am a composer living in London, UK. I have been composing most of my life: my aim is always to write music that musicians will enjoy playing (or singing), and that everyone will enjoy listening to.

In 2011 a recording of my organ piece Variations on an English Folksong was released by Navona Records, featuring an arresting performance by the Czech organist Karel Martinek. This recording was described as “striking and ingenious” by website Allmusic and “urgently dramatic” by Gramophone magazine.

Other recent projects include a setting of ten English love poems for choir (Pleasure, Measure Love’s Delight), and a five-movement suite for unaccompanied alto flute (Out of the Loop).

In 2008 I wrote Pianobox for the pianist Marcus Andrews. This piece, which was inspired by the sight of a rubbish skip floating through the air – suspended by crane above a building site, was first performed by Marcus in London in 2009. This was followed by Modus operandi, also written for Marcus, and first performed by him in Radlett, Hertfordshire in 2010. In its review of this concert, the Watford Observer noted this piece’s “subtle and complex rhythms and its impressionist language”, and judged that it was “a privilege to be at the premiere of this exciting, if brief, work”.

You can listen to my play list on SoundCloud.

Most of my works are published under the MidsummersdayMusic imprint, and are available to order from Etsy. Free PDFs of scores and parts can be ordered using the form on my website, www.midsummersdaymusic.com.

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