From 1989 to 1997 Josef studied at the Musikhochschule Frankfurt, flute with Peter Brock and Paul Dahme, and composition with Gerhard Müller-Hornbach.
He composed Musik für Flöte(n), Viola und Kontrabass nach dem Bild von Pablo Picasso "Bildnis seiner kleinen Tochter" (2001) (music for flute(s), viola and double bass inspired by Picasso's portrait of his little daughter) in four movements, premiered in the Foyer of the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden.
[6] He played the flute in a trio concert at the Gasteig, with Rudi Spring (piano) and Graham Waterhouse (cello), performing Martinů's trio and the premiere of the flute version of Gestural Variations; every composer contributed a Christmas carol, Josef set "Süßer die Glocken nie klingen".
[7] In 2010 he was the alto flutist in the premiere there of the song Im Gebirg (The Mountain) by Waterhouse on a poem by Hans Krieger, with Martina Koppelstetter (mezzo-soprano), the composer and Christopher White (piano).
[8] Josef's chamber music is recorded on a composer portrait CD Kammermusik, including Fünf Chansons nach Texten von François Villon (for soprano, flute, clarinet and percussion), 26.6.1626 (concertante scene no.