What is the best thing I love about my work?

I love my freedom as an artist and that I can always try new things. It was never my goal to become a composer and yet I slipped into this profession. To this day it is a strange but wonderful feeling when a symphony of mine is played live.

What is my idea of happiness?

I have never aspired to material things or success. I knew my mission in life very early on. It came to me by chance in life and music is only a small part of it. To realize my life’s mission would be my greatest happiness in life. And maybe it’s also luck that I have something to strive for. I think following your heart and really trying to find out what you need in life can fulfill you completely in life, rather than just material wealth.

picture credits:  Lucia Hunziker

What is my greatest fear?

That I will not be able to live my dream.

What is the quality I regret most about myself?

I am very straightforward and sometimes have high expectations of other people at work, that they work or communicate reliably and precisely. I am very quick to be socially accessible, but also very quick to separate myself when I notice someone is unclear in their behavior. It’s sometimes exhausting to have a strong sense of that. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that I have autistic traits and it is very difficult for me to understand someone’s ambiguities. I am mathematically and logically inclined. I have to be much more active in filtering all the information in everyday life. In everyday life, people are often unclear. The positive thing about it is that when people communicate very clearly with me, I can develop particularly well and suddenly all my strengths come out.

Which living people in my profession do I admire the most?

I never really had any role models. Sure Hans Zimmer, Brain Tyler or John Powell are great composers and I admire them a lot. But I also admire Lady Gaga. But I was really touched by ballet dancer Tyler Burkett from the bottom of my heart. He was a role model for me for a very long time, how to touch someone else as an artist. That was then the start of my music.

When and where was I happiest at work?

I am mostly happy at work. But what I can say is that in the meantime the audience has become very important to me. No matter at a movie or live concert. I have the musicians generally always made for me or I have made it especially happy for a director or conductor that I continue to do so. Now I’ve been working as a composer for many years and you’re often alone in the studio for months at a time. All the projects I work on now take an average of 1.5 years to produce. In the meantime I am happy about the audience and the enthusiasm, it gives me energy to really stick to the music.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I would like to be more relaxed when I have so much creative pressure.

Where would I most like to live?

I’ll leave that one open. I am willing to live anywhere if it means I can live my dream.

What is my most prized possession?

Probably my great-grandfather’s silver trumpet, which is over 120 years old. He was a conductor and trumpet player. Maybe I inherited my talent for music from him?

What is my most distinctive quality?

Reliable, precise and correct.

What is the place in my city that inspires me the most?

I love so many cities in this world. Singapore, London, Paris…and many more. I can’t say!

Where do I prefer to eat and drink in my city?

I prefer to cook myself with lots of fresh vegetables. I am a good cook!

What books have influenced my life and how?

I don’t like to read books. My mind always wanders. When I do read something, it’s science texts. It’s a good way for me to relax. I can’t even tell you a title, my brain doesn’t like memorizing texts. It can be annoying in everyday life when my friends ask me. Interestingly enough, being a contributing writer is great fun and it goes wonderfully!

You only die once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

Probably I would listen again to my most important works myself. Somehow that makes me happy. I don’t know why!

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I like a lot of heroes from Marvel and DC. From Thor, Guardians of Galaxy, Batman, Harley Quinn.

What movie would I recommend seeing once in my lifetime?

Oh, I’m really bad. I don’t have typical favorite movies, heroes, artists, etc. and then I usually can’t remember the name. That’s exactly what I meant! Matrix had the biggest impact on me when I was young. And currently I liked Avatar 2, especially the family and nature themes in it.

What role do stories play in my life and work?

A very big role. I think in real life you can write the greatest stories. I believe in great love and that it can be incredibly beautiful and fulfilling when you can be with that person.

But also as a composer, producer and sometimes as an author, well written stories are very important for me. When we hear and tell good stories, we can make a difference in small and big ways.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?

I am convinced that we are the storytellers of our own lives. Most of the time we can choose what life we can have, no matter how difficult it is. For example, I did not have the prerequisite to become a composer and what I have achieved today. I had a lot of stones on my way. It was iron will and discipline, step by step, to realize this path. And there are still big hurdles.

Who is my biggest fan, sponsor, accomplice?

That’s probably my mom. Or I hope so haha. I can be really thankful that so many foundations, sponsors and private patrons have supported my work until today. Also my city where I LIVE has been very supportive over the past 2 years.

What project am I looking forward to working on?

Currently it’s the next EP with Dr. Mark Benecke. There’s a co-composer coming in from Germany, so I’m really excited about that. From this a larger project is to develop, that I can hardly wait. But also my current work on a new classical concert and the current feature film, where I am composer and co-producer, is a lot of fun!

Where can you see me or my work?

You can see my work on my new website:

http://www.sommerfilmmusic.com. I will re-launch the english site in the next months. But also on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/raphaelsommermusik

3 hours of new music waiting for release this year! Maybe some of it will be pushed into next year. So it’s worth visiting my website every now and then!

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

I also think that I will work on some art projects for the rest of my life. Often when I have a lot of work, I tell myself as soon as the work is finished, I will take a long break. As soon as I take a break for 1-3 days, new ideas come and I have to work again. I think it will always be like that.

But I think there is another big desire in me, to have my own family. With the right person, this could also become a passion for me. We will see! 🙂

How can you contact me?

You can write me any time on Facebook, Instagram or via mail, I would be happy:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/sommerfilmmusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sommerfilmmusic/

Mail:

info(at)summerfilmmusic(dot)ch