Born in Philadelphia, David Tudor initially gained prominence as a virtuoso pianist known for his technical mastery of complex contemporary scores. His breakthrough came in 1950 with the U.S. premiere of Pierre Boulez's Piano Sonata No. 2, which established him as a leading interpreter of avant-garde music. He subsequently became the primary performer for works by John Cage and other experimental composers.

Tudor transitioned from performance to composition and electronic music, creating innovative sound environments and installations. His work often involved the use of custom-built electronic circuits and live signal processing. He notably established India's first electronic music studio at the National Institute of Design in 1969 and served as a key collaborator for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for several decades.

His legacy continues to be examined within the context of the neo-avant-garde and Fluxus movements. Recent institutional projects, such as those by the Getty Research Institute, highlight his role in the development of experimental scores and the preservation of archival materials related to the mid-century avant-garde.