Alvin Curran

Alvin Curran is an American avant-garde composer, performer, and writer who co-founded the radical Italian electronic music collective Musica Elettronica Viva (MEV) in 1966. For over five decades, he has pushed the boundaries of contemporary music by blending acoustic instruments, early synthesisers, and environmental field recordings.

His expansive work bridges the gap between structured composition and spontaneous improvisation. Curran is celebrated for his large-scale, site-specific sound installations that turn public spaces, lakes, and maritime ports into living concert halls.

As a dedicated educator, notably at Mills College, Curran has influenced generations of experimental artists. His enduring legacy lies in his philosophy that sound is a universal canvas, accessible to everyone and found in all aspects of daily life.