Rafael López

Rafael S. López Marchal began his musical studies at the age of sixteen at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Linares (Jaén), qualifying aged twenty from the Medium Grade with a distinction, under the teacher D. Jesús Viedma. Subsequently he was awarded first place in the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, where he studied with Professor D. Justo Sanz, and finished his studies at the age of twenty-two with Honours in Clarinet and with a distinction in all other subjects. The following year he obtains the title of Postgraduate in Clarinet by the R.C.S.M.Madrid with D. Justo Sanz.

He has taken Master and Improvement Classes from several nationally and internationally renowned clarinettists. It should be highlighted that, at the age of 18, clarinettist Julian Farrell proposed that he study with him at the Academy of San Martin in the Field's in London.

After a public examination, he was named principal clarinettist of the Joven Orquesta Sinfónica de la Comunidad de Madrid and made tours all over the most important auditoriums of Spain recording several concerts for T.V.E and R.N.E.

In 2014 he published a clarinet technique method in collaboration with Selmer and Vandoren titled “Las Escalas en el Clarinete: Método de interiorización de patrones técnicos” which was presented at the VANDOREN headquarters in Paris (France) in November of the same year, becoming the only Spanish clarinettist to do so since its foundation in 1905.

In 2018 he completed a University Master in Musical Research by the UNIR with an average grade of 9.27/10.

In the field of interpretation, he has given recitals in different parts of Spain, performing works as a soloist, with an orchestra, with a piano, with a string quartet, etc. At present he forms a professional duo with the pianist José Mariano García, carrying out a project that mixes interpretation with biographical and historical reviews.

Regarding teaching, he has been teaching Clarinet since he was 19 years old in different Schools of Music and Conservatories. At present he is the Headmaster and a teacher of the School of Music "Banda Sinfónica de Aldaya" (Valencia). He has also been its Artistic Director since 2011. He has given improvement classes and Master-Classes in several state and private schools in Spain.

Regarding musical research, it is worth noting that prestigious journals such as QUODLIBET or DYCKINSON (a Q1 level journal) have published his articles on the mathematical-performative analysis of music and educational research and innovation. He is frequently requested to attend conferences and symposiums as a speaker both at Higher Conservatories of Music and at Universities in Spain. He is currently writing his DOCTORAL THESIS in Education (line: Educational Research and Innovation) at the University of La Laguna (Tenerife) with Professor Dña. Olga Mª Alegre and Doctor Dña. Vicenta Gisbert.

Photo credit : Juan Miguel Esteve - Daniel Torrás Sánchez