Álvaro Ayuso
Percussion · Live Electronics · Sound Art
Coming from a classical percussion background, my first explorations with electronics emerged through tape in relation to existing repertoire: a tape for Elliott Carter's Figment V reinforcing its rhythmic modulations, and a layered version of Bach's Sarabande and its Double from the lute suite, where both textures interact (from 1:46).
A piece for tom, pedal and MIDI controller inspired by John Cage's ideas of indeterminacy and performer agency. The electronic system introduces controlled unpredictability, allowing the performer to influence the structure and evolution of the piece in real time.
For vibraphone and electronics, inspired by Stockhausen's Mantra and its use of ring modulation. The idea is translated to the vibraphone, exploring how modulation can transform the instrument's sound and harmonic character.
A hybrid setup combining percussion and live electronics — percussion instruments, MIDI controllers and custom Max for Live devices interacting through live processing in Ableton. It has become a central tool in my practice, used both for improvisation and across other projects, and I keep expanding it as I learn new tools.
Original soundtrack for an experimental documentary by filmmaker Alma Tejada about a cave in La Rioja (Spain). The film explores the textures and atmosphere of the space, focusing on the relationship between landscape, geology and sound; the music was created to accompany its visual rhythm.
A duo with trumpet player Carmen Llena focused on experimental performance and improvisation. The project moves between composed material and open forms, letting sound emerge through interaction and listening. Drawing from contemporary music, improvisation and jazz, we use live electronics to expand the acoustic instruments and allow real-time transformations.
I am a co-founder of the sound-creation collective Páramo 26005, together with Adrián Fuentes and Juls Ruiz. Within the project I perform as a musician and contribute to the compositional development of the pieces, as well as to the sonic conception of the work and the integration of live electronics.
A duo focused on free improvisation, working with my hybrid percussion and electronics setup and Tibor's modular synthesis system, generally moving towards slower, atmospheric and drone-oriented sound worlds. We also created SoL, a performance project combining sound, light and distorted visual imagery.
2015–2026 · colaboraciones orquestales y de banda · percusión / timbal · España, Andorra, Suiza
Álvaro Ayuso (Logroño, 2000) is a contemporary percussionist and composer whose work explores the intersection of performance, composition, and technology. His practice spans solo performance, collaborative creation, and interdisciplinary projects combining acoustic instruments, live electronics, and visual elements.
He trained initially in La Rioja and later specialised in contemporary performance at ESMUC (Barcelona). During this period, he took part in the Joan Guinjoan International Composition Prize as a performer, premiering works by emerging composers, and collaborated in an artistic residency at Fabra i Coats with composer Luis Tabuenca, focused on new music creation and performance.
He is currently completing a Master's degree in Percussion Performance at the Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB), where he develops projects at the crossroads of contemporary music, sound art, and experimental electronics. He is a recipient of the Albert Hänggi Scholarship (Zurich) and works closely with composers such as Tibor Novak, Yido Chae or Maria Amor, contributing actively to collaborative creation processes.