Joseph Puglia is driven by a search for new approaches and sounds on the violin. He is praised for the “amazing, magical moments” he creates in concert, saying that “on the way home you notice that your ears have opened – even the familiar noise of the city sounds different” (De Volkskrant). His solo debut in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw “brought the hall to a boil” (De Volkskrant), and a recent concerto performance at the Sydney Opera House was described as “breathtaking, every phrase perfectly shaped. His prowess…almost extraterrestrial, made for one of the most engaging displays of the instrument” (Limelight Magazine).
A leading advocate for new music, Joseph’s “Voices of the Violin” project explores a new approach to the instrument, and includes new commissions from 13 composers which were premiered in 2023. His project around Luciano Berio’s violin works resulted in performances across Europe and the US, a “mindblowing” CD recording (Luister), and collaborations with conservatories, festivals, and over 100 violinists of all levels. He has also researched how active audience participation can create deeper musical connections in concerts, with special focus on the music of Pauline Oliveros.
As concertmaster of the Asko|Schoenberg ensemble, the leading ensemble for contemporary music in The Netherlands, Joseph curates “…and Beyond”, an unconducted concert series connecting classical and contemporary music. From 2021-2023 he worked closely with musicologist Clive Brown and conductor Johannes Leertouwer on historical approaches to Brahms. In 2023 he was invited to perform in Washington DC, on the Smithsonian museum’s “Ole Bull” Stradivarius, one of only 11 decorated Stradivarius violins in existence. He also worked closely with electric guitar legend Steve Vai and performed with pianist Brad Mehldau. Joseph appears regularly as guest concertmaster with most of the major Dutch orchestras, as well as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Ensemble Resonanz.
Joseph’s extra-musical interests have led to performance/talks on topics like “Music and Space” at the European Space Agency, as well as “Music and AI” and “Music and Physics” with his wife, physicist Stefania Giodini. From 2015-2017 he created and curated a series of chamber music concerts at the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, performing music from the 17th – 21st centuries, and connecting the concerts to museum exhibits and the museum’s instrument collection.
For many years he enjoyed an inspirational musical partnership with conductor Reinbert de Leeuw, having collaborated in concerti performances in the USA, Netherlands, and Germany.
Joseph teaches at the Royal Conservatory of The Netherlands, in The Hague, where he has resided since 2010. Born in New York, he studied at the School for Strings and Juilliard’s Pre-College division with Louise Behrend. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Juilliard studying with Robert Mann and Nicholas Mann, and received his Master’s degree at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, with Vera Beths. Important musical mentors have also included Anner Bylsma, Joel Krosnick, Barbara Hannigan, Anssi Karttunen, and Laurie Smukler. Joseph Puglia plays a Violin by Anselmo Bellosio, Venice, c.1785, belonging to the Karel Appel Estate.