A forerunner of the contemporary improvised music scene, the composer and cellist Alfred Zimmerlin was born in Zurich in 1955. He first came to public attention in the 1980s with the trio KARL ein KARL, in which he explored new playing and recording techniques, collective composition and prepared instruments.

A multifaceted artist, Alfred Zimmerlin has also composed works for the theatre, film and radio as well as chamber and orchestra music.