EFRÉN LÓPEZ

TOOLS FOR CREATION IN MODAL MUSIC, FROM A TO Z
NOVEMBER 17 TO 21, 2025
AUBAGNE

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this master class is to explore, in a comprehensive way, all stages of the creative process involved in composing a musical work within the framework of what is known as modal music. This term encompasses a broad family of musical systems, with varying levels of formalization, spanning from North Africa to European modal traditions (both contemporary and medieval), through Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, including the Balkans and the Middle East.

LEARNING THE ESSENTIAL PARAMETERS FOR CREATION

  • Organological factors to consider when choosing an instrument

  • Historical, social, political, ethnic, and religious contexts specific to each style studied

  • With particular emphasis on technical and theoretical training through
    the study of:

    • Modes

    • Rhythmology

    • Compositional forms from the major traditions mentioned above

GENERAL CONTENT

Collaborative work will also be encouraged, addressing a range of issues:

  • Arrangements

  • Instrumentation

  • Choice of timbres

  • Studio recording techniques and live sound, etc.

SCHEDULE:
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

This master class is open to all musicians playing melodic or percussion instruments, as well as singers, from any musical background, provided they have a sufficient level of instrumental proficiency.

Some knowledge of music theory is recommended.

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BIOGRAPHY

EFRÉN LÓPEZ
Multi-instrumentalist · Composer · Producer · Sound Engineer

Specialized in the hurdy-gurdy and various lutes from European medieval traditions, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

For over 30 years, Efrén López (València, Spain, 1972) has taken part as a composer, performer, and/or producer in some of the most creative music projects across both shores of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and European medieval traditions. He has collaborated with artists and ensembles such as Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI, Ross Daly, Trio Petrakis López Chemirani, L’Ham de Foc, Stelios Petrakis, Kelly Thoma, Keyvan Chemirani, Katerina Papadopoulou, Derya Türkan, Dilek Türkan, Göksel Baktagir, Sima Bina, Zohar Fresco, Michalis Kouloumis, Azam Ali, Paloma Gutiérrez del Arroyo, Arianna Savall, Capella de Ministrers, Oni Wytars, Eléonore Fourniau, Sylvain Barou, Rocío Márquez, Carles Dénia, María del Mar Bonet, Lamia Yared, Yasamin Shahhosseini, Daud Khan, Parvathy Baul, Fernando Barroso, Germán Díaz, Ziya Tabassian, Nilgün Aksoy, Ertan Tekin, Veka Aler, Arslan Hasreti, Siamak Aghaei, Pedram Khavarzamini, Kourosh Ghazvineh, Bashir Faramarzi, E.A.R., 3,14, Elena Ledda, On, Noma Omran, Zohreh Jooya, Núria Rovira Salat, Faun, Al Firdaus, InTactvs, Eloqventia, Cabra, Armand Amar, Minco Eggersman, and Sandra Sangiao.

With these groups and artists, he has performed at many of the most prestigious festivals across Europe, North Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, China, and the Indian subcontinent. He has contributed to the recording of over 100 albums.

He studied the techniques and theory of various instruments and musical systems from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and medieval Europe with masters such as Ross Daly, Erkan Oğur, Erol Parlak, Mehmet Erenler, Erdal Erzincan, Ömer Erdoğdular, Necati Çelik, Yurdal Tokcan, Daud Khan Sadozai, Mohammed Rahim Khushnawaz, Yasamin Shahhosseini, Keyvan Chemirani, Zohar Fresco, Isabel Martín, Araz Salek, Nigel Eaton, Maurizio Martinotti, Germán Díaz, and Pascal Lefevre, among others.

As a music educator, he has conducted workshops on medieval, traditional, modal music and sound engineering at:

  • Berklee Music School in Valencia (Spain)

  • Labyrinth Music School in Crete (Greece)

  • Labyrinth Catalunya (Spain)

  • Labyrinth Online

  • ESMUC (Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ateliers d’Ethnomusicologie (Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Ruhnu Fiddle Festival (Estonia)

  • Royaumont Foundation (France)

  • School of Persian Music (Malmö, Sweden)

Photo © Jean-Christophe Ken