On October 9, it was time for the world premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's 10th Symphony, which was completed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The world premiere took place in front of around 750 guests at the Telekom Forum in Bonn.
Almost three years, around two million notes composed by artificial intelligence and ten music and AI experts. That is the balance of the experiment "Beethoven X - The AI Project".
On the morning of the premiere, media representatives were already given an exclusive taste of "The Unfinished" at the press conference as part of the dress rehearsal. Print and TV media gathered at the Telekom Forum and in the livestream.
The Beethoven Orchestra Bonn under the direction of General Music Director Dirk Kaftan presented the 10th Symphony. 57 musicians on 18 different instruments were on stage together with organist Cameron Carpenter. "The beauty is that even music written by the computer has to be played by people," concluded moderator Axel Brüggemann.
In the panel discussion with music and AI experts, background information on the project was provided. The participants discussed creative machines and the interplay between human and artificial intelligence. "We didn't want to be better than Beethoven, but this is a possible version of the 10th symphony," explained Matthias Röder, project manager of "Beethoven AI.
Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges emphasized that the project shows what is feasible with artificial intelligence. That there was no need to be afraid of technology. On the contrary, the experiment should give us courage for the future: "I would like us to see new technologies as an opportunity! Man and machine must work together. The machine will not take us over," said Tim Höttges.
The Telekom Forum was sold out with around 750 guests – of course with the applicable Corona regulations. Among them were many celebrities from politics and the entertainment industry. Actor Benno Fürmann had his daughter with him on the red carpet.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder appeared with his wife So-yeon Schröder-Kim at the premiere of Beethoven X. He answered questions from the press.
"In the creation of the 10th symphony, man and machine worked hand in hand," Tim Höttges welcomes the concertgoers. "Of course, there will be critical voices. Perhaps we now have even more respect for the genius of Beethoven. But Beethoven was also slated many times in his day. That's why I'm happy when there's a debate. When we have discussions and people are not indifferent to technological opportunities."
After that, the 10th symphony was performed for the first time in front of an audience. Almost three years after the project was launched.
The discussion flared up during the evening talk session. How much Beethoven is in the opus? Can an AI move our emotions? "This is not Beethoven," said General Music Director Dirk Kaftan. Even if it was a version that could have been penned by the musician himself. Composer Walter Werzowa saw it differently: "The AI is absolutely objective and has found the pure essence of Beethoven. We have brought in the subjective. The spirit of Beethoven is there."
Aya Jaff, Germany's best-known programmer, saw both praise and criticism as justified, with the basis of the criticism being fear. She advocates using artificial intelligence more as a tool in the future. "We listened as a piece of history was written," Aya Jaff said.
"So whether the musical result of our experiment is a good one, I leave to your own assessment," said Tim Höttges in his welcome address. All the more reason for the standing ovation and prolonged applause from the guests to be a great success. Anyone who missed the concert can watch and listen to it free of charge on MagentaMusik 360.
