MUSICALWORKSHOPLABYRINTHModal Music Seminars & Masterclasses ConcertsHoudetsi / Crete

www.labyrinthmusic.gr

European Citizen’s Prize 2012

Musical WorkshopLabyrinthLabyrinth is perhaps more of a musical way of life than merely a Musical Work-shop. It started on Crete in 1982 simply as a group of friends dedicated to the explo-ration of the various modal musical tradi-tions from around the world and the possi-bilities for creative interaction within and between them. At various times Labyrinth has included musicians from a very wide

range of different ethnic backgrounds, each of whom brings to it the world from which he has come, through the medium of his own personal creativity. The members of Labyrinth do not necessarily share a com-mon ideology or philosophy; rather they are united in a common spirit and, of course, love for music.

LABYRINTH WAS AWARDED THE EUROPEAN CITIZEN’S PRIZE FOR 2012. THE PRIZE WAS LAUNCHED BY THE PARLIAMENT IN 2008 TO RECOGNISE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS BY EUROPEANS. THE PRIZE IS GIVEN FOR ACTIVITIES THAT FACILITATE CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION WITHIN THE EU AND PROMOTE BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CLOSER INTEGRATION BETWEEN CITIZENS AND MEMBER STATES.

INHERENT IN ALL OF THE GREAT MODAL TRADITIONS OF THE WORLD (BOTH OF THE EAST AND THE WEST) IS A PRIMORDIAL, TRANSCENDENTAL SPIRITUALITY WHICH IS TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF RELIGIOUS DOGMAS OR ANY OTHER SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF THOUGHT AND FEELING OF A DESCRIPTIVE OR PRESCIPTIVE NATURE.

Modal Music

The term “modal music” usually refers to a specific genre of music which is quite clearly defined by equally specific techni-cal characteristics, and which is frequent-ly identified geographically with the Middle East, the Balkans and the Orient.

True though this may be, for us it is some-thing much more. Inherent in all of the great modal traditions of the world (both of the East and the West) is a primordial, tran-scendental spirituality, which is totally in-dependent of religious dogmas or any other specific patterns of thought and feeling of a descriptive or prescriptive nature. It is this aspect of modal music which draws us ir-resistibly towards it, and which enables us to surrender ourselves to the transpersonal and transtemporal world which it opens for each and every one of us according to his or her individual nature.

Ethnic & World Music

When we started this work more than 20 years ago, there was no specific category into which our music neatly fell, and often the task of describing it to others was ex-tremely difficult. What we do is not “tradi-tional music” per se, but it does draw, al-most exclusively, on elements of specific and, usually, closely related musical tra-ditions which are continuously develop-ing, each in its own way. The newly coined terms “ethnic” or “world music”, if they do indeed have any real meaning at all, both refer to interests which are, in fact, the di-rect opposite of what concerns us.

The “ethnic” dimension of any given mu-sical tradition is of little if any relevance to the inherent ability of certain elements within it to transport us from personal to transpersonal levels, a characteristic of prime importance to us. That which is “eth-nic” certainly reflects a collectivity which simultaneously contains and supercedes individuality, but it does continue to pro-duce dualities such as “us” and “them”, whereas the transpersonal refers us to an-other realm of existence where there sim-ply are no such divisions and the emphasis is on the revelation of inherent unity.

“World music”, whatever that term might eventually come to mean in future gener-ations, remains an extremely primitive or-ganism, lacking both a backbone as well as a central nervous system, and would seem ill-equipped to pass the harsh tests of sur-vival and evolution. The biggest weakness of both categories, probably, is in the fact that they are both the creations not of mu-sicians themselves, but of the music indus-try in search of new forms of commerciality.

THE “ETHNIC” DIMENSION OF ANY GIVEN MUSICAL TRADITION IS OF LITTLE IF ANY RELEVANCE TO THE INHERENT ABILITY OF CERTAIN ELEMENTS WITHIN IT TO TRANSPORT US FROM PERSONAL TO TRANSPERSONAL LEVELS

Museum ofMusical Instruments

Today Musical Workshop Labyrinth in coop-eration with the municipality of Archanes - Asterousia has concentrated all of its ac-tivities in a tastefully restored old manor in the village of Houdetsi (20 km due south of Heraklion / Crete / Greece), where one can visit a permanent exhibition of rare musical instruments from many parts of the world. Apart from the personal collection of Ross Daly himself, exhibitions of unique collec-tions of instruments belonging to other col-lectors will also be on display from time to time, as well as exhibitions of the work of some of the best of contemporary instru-ment makers worldwide. Labyrinth has an atelier for instrument-making where it is also possible to repair musical instruments. The atelier runs under the supervision of Mazdak Ferydooni, an exceptional instru-ment maker and artist from Iran.

The core of Labyrinth is unquestionably its educational activities. We regularly organ-ize seminars and master-classes featur-ing some of the greatest master musicians from all over the world. Crete has been a crossroad and a meeting place for cultures from all over the Mediterranean and other far away civilizations for centuries. Crete is not of course the only territory where such cultural exchanges took place. Without any doubt, all great musical traditions of the world due their richness to this interchange between all historic civilizations.For us, the continuity of this process is es-sential for a healthy future for musical cre-ation. On the other hand we can see a mod-el of imposition of cultural forms from the economically powerful states through the

industry of entertainment. Many of the worldsworld’s most remarkable and impor-tant traditions today are either in danger of extinction due to the political and commer-cial interests of the western world, or in a state of deterioration producing bizarre imi-tations that lack whatsoever dynamic crea-tivity. We strongly believe that all local tra-ditions of the world deserve a deep respect and that each and one of them can have a unique role to play in the universal dialogue and interplay of cultures.This dialogue should not be aimed at the creation of a unique and homogenous cul-ture, ; quite the contrary, it must give utter-most importance to sustaining and refining the uniqueness and integrity of even the most unnoticed local idiom, while at the

Seminars

THE SEMINARS AND MASTER-CLASSES IN LABYRINTH DO NOT ONLY AIM TO HELP THE STUDENTS LEARN THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL AND THEORETICAL SKILLS IN EACH MUSIC BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY URGE THE STUDENTS TO COME CLOSER TO THE SPIRIT OF THE TRADITION THEY ARE STUDYING

same time it should urge us to be open and receptive towards all cultures of the world.

Every musical tradition should be ap-proached according to its own terms and its own values. Qualitative comparisons be-tween different musical idioms, based ex-clusively on one’ s or the other’ s terms, have proven meaningless as they lead us to false conclusions that hinder inter-cul-tural understanding instead of helping and promoting it.

Having that in mind the seminars and mas-ter-classes in Labyrinth do not only aim to help the students learn the necessary tech-nical and theoretical skills in each music

but most importantly they urgethey urge the students to come closer to the spirit of the tradition they are studying, and even-tually enter in this world where musical language is just one of many other inter-twining elements. During the seminars, teachers and students are part of one big “parea”, company in Greek. Apart from the time spend in the classes teachers and stu-dents play music together, eat together, dis-cuss common interest matters, share sto-ries etc. All this experience leads not only in acquiring technical and repertory skills, but also approaching some -very often inac-cessible- traditions, which the teachers rep-resent, in a very pleasant atmosphere and with a very personal dimension.

Ross DalyFounder & Artistic Director

of Musical Workshop Labyrinth

Houdetsi Festival is a 4-day celebration of music, food and art that takes place in the little village of Houdetsi, parallel with the seminars, usually in the middle of sum-mer, ends of July, beginning of August. The first two editions attracted more than 5,000 spectators each year. The 3d Edition of the festival on summer 2012, was even more succesfulsuccessful, with more than 30 concerts, with the participation of over 100 musicians from Greece, Italy, Afghan-

istan, Spain, Turkey, the United States and Ireland. Also a market of biological products also took place, an exhibition of instrument making with instrument makers from Crete and Athens, a performance of Shadow Theater, Story-Telling and many other hap-penings all over the village. An incredible audience of over 10.000 people embraced the festival all four days! The next Houdetsi Festival will take place 1-4 of August 2013.

Houdetsi Festival

WWW.HOUDETSIFESTIVAL.COM

Unfortunately, the current global financial crisis affects Labyrinth Musical Workshop. National and local support is inevitably declining, but to raise the fees according-ly is not an option because the majority of the targeted students is come(s) from less prosperous areas. Attracting more affluent students would perhaps be sensible busi-nesswise, but this would water down Laby-rinth’s concept in an unacceptable way.

Labyrinth needs to adapt to this new situ-ation, and is exploring alternative funding opportunities. Financial support would al-

low Labyrinth to keep providing education in modal music and help safeguarding its heritage and traditions, and to build under-standing between people from various cul-tures at times when this is much needed.

From June 2012 Labyrinth is running a fund-raising campaign through its web-site www.supportlabyrinth.com. Please vis-it the site and contribute to our cause, so we can continue offering musical education and activities for thousands of students and musicians worldwide!

WWW.SUPPORTLABYRINTH.COM

Support Labyrinth

Houdetsi 70100 | Herakleio | CreteMunicipality of Archanes - AsterousiaOffice Hours 09:00-16:00 | tel. 2810 741 027

info@mwl.gr | www.mwl.gr