Can AI take the place of human touch in Classical Music?

      In October 2021, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn performed the first movement of Beethoven’s incomplete 10th symphony, which was finalized with the aid of artificial intelligence. A group comprised of computer scientists, music historians, musicologists, and composers created the ‘Beethoven AI’ to study Beethoven’s unique musical style and life. They utilized the sketches he left for the 10th symphony, along with works from other influential composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, to generate music reflective of what Beethoven might have composed.

      Similar to other AI composition programs, Beethoven AI generates music in a manner akin to how ChatGPT produces responses. It employs machine learning and algorithms to analyze musical data and patterns, as well as generative models to create music based on provided prompts. Thus, the AI tool was educated by the team of experts and equipped with the requisite knowledge to comprehend context and ultimately generate something Beethoven might have penned.

      This achievement prompts a significant question that grows increasingly pertinent: as technology becomes more adept at fostering creativity, what aspects remain uniquely human in the realm of classical music? Can AI replicate the sensitivity and humanity necessary for composition, interpretation, emotional expression, and conveying the composer’s intended message?

      Historically, classical music has been a niche field, emerging as a natural progression from choral music. However, only the elite, particularly those of noble heritage or with musical connections, could devote themselves to learning an instrument or composing, and enjoyment of classical music was reserved for the aristocracy. Over time, globalization and the widespread dissemination of information have broadened the reach of classical music, enabling millions worldwide to appreciate it.

      Digital platforms such as Spotify and YouTube provide access to a vast array of compositions and recordings throughout history, making classical music more accessible. At the same time, social media allows both traditional and innovative artists to present their interpretations, whether through classical renditions of Paganini's Campanella or modern trap adaptations of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

      The advent of modern technology has created opportunities for the classical music industry to discover novel ways to remain relevant in an ever-accelerating world. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has introduced a digital concert hall, a streaming service offering users access to numerous recordings and on-demand content. Similarly, the Philharmonia Orchestra employs Virtual Reality to immerse audiences in concerts alongside the performers.

      However, these technological advances also represent challenges and raise concerns regarding the future of human creativity in the arts, including classical music. Turkish pianist AyseDeniz Gokcin utilizes AI to arrange pieces by renowned composers, adapting them to contemporary styles or what they might have produced today, potentially displacing modern composers trying to carve out their own identities.

      AI: An Ally and a Threat

      From a symphony completed with AI to the experience of being onstage with an orchestra or hearing your favorite composer in a modern, personalized format, technology offers distinct advantages to the classical music sector. A study titled ‘Music Composition with AI’ published in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews (WJARR) emphasizes that AI technologies can enhance efficiency and accessibility, preserve and enrich historical works, and open new avenues for innovation in performance and education.

      Nonetheless, AI also challenges the role of human artistry and raises concerns about emotional depth, ethical and legal implications, and the livelihoods of today’s musicians and composers. AI can serve as a powerful tool and ally for those willing to engage with it as an extension of human creativity and a means of exploring new forms of expression. Conversely, those who view it as a threat may see AI as a digital instrument that will never replicate the human touch since it requires artists to create, reproduce, and generate results.

      Ultimately, it is up to us, as creators and audiences, to make intentional choices regarding the use of new technologies and to maintain our humanity in a rapidly changing world.