Berklee Valencia MMI Recording Sessions

The Mediterranean Music Institute (MMI) recording sessions at Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain, directed by Javier Limón at the Ann Kreis Scoring Stage, are open to all students. In one studio session, students learn all about the recording process, from arranging and performing to recording and mixing.

In the spring 2016, the MMI joined the Aix-en-Provence Festival Medinea network (Mediterranean Incubator of Emerging Artists) with the project Ziryab and Us. A five-day residency in Berklee's campus in Valencia explored a new view of the Arab musical heritage of Al-Andalus. Five performers from the Mediterranean reinterpreted the musical legacy of Ziryab, an Iraqi musician who reached Cordoba in the ninth century. From medieval Spain to contemporary interpretation, this educational and artistic project showed us a whole new approach to his musical legacy.

During the residency, the components of Ziryab and Us recorded "CJ" with both graduate and undergraduate students at the MMI recording sessions in Valencia.  

 

Watch a video of the MMI recording session of "CJ": 

 

In the spring 2015 semester we had two MMI recording sessions with more than 30 applicants for each session. In the first session, on February 6, we invited guest artist Antonio Serrano to codirect the recording with Limón. Eight students were selected and performed a beautiful rendition of the bolero song "Historia de un Amor." In the second MMI recording session, on April 24, seven students were selected to perform "Toda Una Vida" by Osvaldo Farrés. Listen to the recording here.

Watch a video of the recording session of "Historia de un Amor" featuring Tonina Saputo.

Watch excerpts from some of the past sessions: