Alain Van Kerckhoven (b. 1964) is a Belgian author, librettist, and publisher whose multifaceted career bridges literature, philosophy, and contemporary music. Active since the early 1980s, he has authored numerous philosophical essays, primarily within the tradition of naturalist thought, as well as several novels, including Les Nières, Le Temps des lumières montantes, and Motel California. His literary work often explores themes at the intersection of science, ethics, and metaphysical inquiry.
In addition to his writing, Van Kerckhoven has published over 750 articles, with a particular interest in the interplay between art and emerging technologies. He is also the author of the Lexique d’informatique musicale, a bilingual glossary that catalogued over 800 terms related to computer music—a pioneering work at the time of its publication in 1990.
In 1985, he founded the publishing house Alain Van Kerckhoven Éditeur, which began with a focus on graphic works and soon expanded to contemporary classical music. From 1989 onward, the imprint became known for its commitment to the New Consonant Music movement and has published scores by numerous composers from Belgium and abroad, including Jean Absil, Frédéric Devreese, Michel Lysight or Gilberto Mendes.
As a librettist, Van Kerckhoven has collaborated closely with Michel Lysight on several vocal and chamber works. Their joint creations include Three Philosophers Songs (2013), La Fille du Roi d’Écosse (2019), and Béryllium (2019), all of which blend poetic text with a lyrical and accessible musical language. These works have been performed in festivals and concert settings in Belgium and beyond.
