Press release follows:
ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY OF ARP SYNTHESIZER FOUNDER, ALAN R. PEARLMAN, JUNE 7 AT THE MUSEUM OF MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Kingston, NY - May 20, 2025 - This year marks the 100th birthday of the late inventor of the ARP synthesizer, Alan R. Pearlman. In honor of his pioneering innovations in electronic music, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation will launch ARP@100: A Centennial Celebration of Alan R. Pearlman’s Legacy with
EMEAPP at the Museum of Music Technology. A gala event kicks off a year’s worth of commemorative ARP centennial activities and takes place at EMEAPP, located in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, from 7 -10 pm.
June 7th Centennial activities at the museum include:
A live interview with the ARP Foundation’s director, Dina Pearlman-Ifil
Video excerpts from musicians, former ARP employees, and filmmaker Alex Ball’s celebrated ARP films
Performances on vintage ARP instruments by music pioneer Don Slepian and modular synthesist Ombient
The ability to try out a variety of synths
EMEAPP will unveil, at its Museum of Music Technology, a haven of vintage ARP history in which visitors will encounter an epic collection of ARP synthesizers, including the majestic ARP 2500 and a rare, early ARP 2502 with a cherry drop matrix. The iconic ARP 2600 Blue Meanie will be proudly displayed alongside an array of other ARP classics: the versatile Quadra, the expressive Soloist series, multiple iterations of the legendary Odyssey, the innovative Avatar, the powerful Chroma, the punchy Axxe, the compact Little Brother, and even a remarkable 16-Voice Electronic Piano – many of which will be playable!
Countless composers, musicians, and filmmakers worldwide have incorporated the ARP 2500 and ARP 2600 into their work, including early adopters Pete Townsend (in the “Who’s Next” album) and Elton John (in “Funeral for a Friend”). Stevie Wonder, an early adopter of the 2600, had his control panels labeled in Braille. The ARP 2600 was also responsible for the voice of R2-D2 in Star Wars films, and the 2500 was used to communicate with aliens in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Alan R. Pearlman’s legacy as an engineer and inventor began at an early age. A fascination with sound occupied his interest, and he spent time as a child building amateur radios. In 1948, as a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he wrote, “The electronic instrument’s value is chiefly as a novelty. With greater attention on the part of the engineer to the needs of the musician, the day may not be too remote when the electronic instrument may take its place as a versatile, powerful, and expressive instrument.”
Attendees may reserve a spot at this exclusive celebration and fundraising event with a tax-deductible donation of $150 per ticket. The contribution includes complimentary wine/beer/other beverages, a selection of snacks, and a swag bag. Parking is Free.
The Museum of Music Technology/EMEAPP is located at 45 Mainland Road, Harleysville, PA 19438, just a short drive from the PA Turnpike Lansdale exits."
