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

      In October 2021, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn performed the first movement of Beethoven’s unfinished 10th symphony, which was completed using artificial intelligence. A group of computer scientists, music historians, musicologists, and composers developed the ‘Beethoven AI’ to study Beethoven’s musical style and life, utilizing his sketches for the 10th symphony along with works from other influential composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, to create music that mirrors what he might have composed.

      Like other AI composition programs, Beethoven AI generates music similarly to how ChatGPT produces text. It employs machine learning and algorithms to analyze musical data and patterns, and uses generative models to create music based on given inputs. Consequently, the team of experts trained the AI tool and equipped it with the necessary contextual information, enabling it to produce something that could resemble Beethoven's own writing.

      This development prompts a significant question that grows more pertinent with each passing day: as technology increasingly advances in initiating creativity, what truly remains human within the realm of classical music? Can AI replicate the sensitivity and emotional depth required for composing, interpreting, or conveying the emotions and intentions of the composer?

      Historically, classical music has been a niche field, emerging as the natural successor to choral music. Traditionally, only those of noble descent or from musically inclined families could dedicate their lives to mastering an instrument or composition, and it was primarily the aristocracy that had the privilege to appreciate it.

      However, over time, globalization and the widespread dissemination of information have broadened the reach of classical music, enabling millions worldwide to enjoy it. Digital platforms like Spotify and YouTube present a vast array of historical compositions and recordings to diverse audiences, thereby democratizing classical music. Simultaneously, social media provides both traditional and innovative artists the opportunity to showcase their interpretations, whether it be a classical rendition of Campanella by Paganini or a modern trap variation of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

      The emergence of modern technologies has provided the classical music industry with avenues to innovate in order to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has established a digital concert hall for streaming a variety of recordings and content on demand. Similarly, the Philharmonia Orchestra utilizes Virtual Reality to offer an immersive experience, allowing the audience to feel as if they are onstage with the performers.

      Nevertheless, these new technologies also present challenges and raise concerns regarding the future of human creativity within the creative sectors, including classical music. Turkish pianist AyseDeniz Gokcin employs AI to reinterpret pieces by iconic composers, modernizing them or adapting them as if they were created in today’s context, which may pose a risk to contemporary composers striving to find their unique voices.

      From finishing a symphony with AI to experiencing the sensation of being among the musicians during a live performance, technology provides clear benefits to the classical music industry. A study conducted by the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews (WJARR) on ‘Music Composition with AI’ underscores how AI technologies can enhance efficiency and accessibility, safeguard and enrich historical works, and open up new avenues for innovation in both performance and education.

      Yet, it also challenges the role of human creativity, raising questions about emotional depth, ethical and legal considerations, as well as the livelihoods of current musicians and composers. AI can serve as a powerful asset and ally for those willing to collaborate with it as an extension of human creativity that allows for exploration of new expressive avenues. Conversely, those who perceive it as a threat may regard AI as a digital instrument that cannot replace the human touch, as it relies on artists to create, replicate, and produce results.

      Ultimately, it is up to creators and audiences alike to make conscious decisions regarding the use of new technologies while preserving the essence of humanity in an ever-evolving landscape.