017. Are Robot Conductors Here to Stay ?
The exploration into the domain of robot conductors, as evidenced by the experiments with EveR-6 and the virtual conductor system, opens a pivotal chapter in the orchestra management landscape. For orchestra board members, CEOs, Executive Directors, Artistic and Music Directors, the evolving narrative around technological advancements in conducting underscores a critical juncture in strategic planning and managerial decision-making. The advent of robotic and virtual conductors signals a shift towards innovative, technology-driven approaches in orchestral performances, promising to augment the creative capabilities of human conductors rather than supplanting them. This development necessitates a reevaluation of traditional roles within orchestras, inviting leaders to envision a future where technology and human creativity coalesce to elevate musical interpretation and performance.
The role of technology in conducting musical performances has recently become a topic of interest for research. When in Summer 2023 the South Korean conductor SooYeoul Choi has been supported by robot conductor EveR-6 during a performance by the National Orchestra of Korea, the focus was on the collaboration between a human conductor and a robot conductor. EveR 6, developed by KITECH, is capable of executing rapid movements due to its flexible joints and is not a generative artificial intelligence but a robot that executes pre-programmed movements using motion capture technology. The performance involves a new composition called "Sense," leading to a unique collaboration between the human conductor and EveR 6. While the precision and delicate movements of EveR 6 have been mostly acknowledged but the musicians in the room, no-one could escape from the robot's limitations, particularly its inability to hear. In other words, that experiment highlighted the potential role of robots in specific conducting scenarios but also showed that they cannot fully replace human conductors.
The development of a virtual conductor as an assisting tool for human conductors, rather than a replacement, has been explored in research already. Mid-2023, Marc Philipp Funk and N. Chloe Eghtebas, two researchers from the Technical University of Munich, published an interesting paper to investigate a virtual conductor trained using machine learning based on survey data on emotional associations with specific interpretations and instruments. The paper’s aim is to streamline research time, provide a technical perspective, and inspire new ideas for richer musical interpretations. The implementation of the generation system, involving the analysis of past orchestra performances and the use of a supervised machine learning model, demonstrated the connection between certain instrument groups and specific emotions. The research suggests that the proposed virtual conductor has the potential to open up new avenues for creativity and innovation in the music industry, significantly impacting the field.
Both innovations —the Korean experiment carried out with EveR-6 and the technical University Munich publication— ultimately highlight the potential of technological advancements to enhance the field of music conducting. The use of robots and virtual conductors presents opportunities for collaboration, inspiration, and the generation of richer, more nuanced interpretations of musical works. While the limitations and challenges of these technologies are acknowledged, these experiments emphasise the potential to assist human conductors and open up new creative possibilities in the music industry. The research indicates that robots and virtual conductors are not intended to replace human conductors (yet?) but rather to complement their work and contribute to the evolution of musical performance and interpretation. Further exploration and refinement of these technologies could lead to significant advancements in the field, with potential applications across various musical genres. Here are just a few opportunities for further research that could help clarify this domain:
Further development and refinement of the virtual conductor system to enhance its ability to accurately interpret and convey a wide range of emotions through music. This would involve expanding the emotional spectrum that the system can work within and refining the machine learning algorithms to improve the system's understanding and representation of different emotions.
Exploration of the potential for the virtual conductor to conduct and interpret a broader range of musical genres beyond classical music. This would involve investigating how the system can be adapted to work with different musical styles and cultural traditions and the potential impact on different audience groups.
Further research on the integration of the virtual conductor system with AI-based music generation services to explore opportunities for collaborative music creation and composition. This could involve investigating how the virtual conductor system can work alongside AI-based music generation models to facilitate collaborative and innovative music creation.
Investigation of the impact of the virtual conductor system on the role of conductors in the music industry and the potential for the system to enhance the creativity and innovation in music composition and orchestration. This could involve exploring the perspectives of conductors, composers, and musicians on the use of the virtual conductor system and its implications for the future of music interpretation and performance.
The implications for orchestra management are manifold; embracing these technologies could lead to enhanced musical precision, broader emotional range in performances, and the cultivation of new audiences attracted by the novelty and sophistication of tech-integrated shows. However, it also poses challenges in terms of adaptation, investment in new technologies, and training for musicians and conductors alike to seamlessly integrate with non-human co-conductors. As such, the strategic incorporation of robot conductors must be approached with a balance of enthusiasm for innovation and a deep respect for the irreplaceable value of human emotion and spontaneity in music.
In conclusion, the progression towards incorporating robotic and virtual conductors into orchestral performances paves the way for a transformative opportunity for orchestral management. This evolution not only promises to expand the artistic possibilities and operational efficiencies but also challenges traditional paradigms of leadership, management and collaboration in the music industry. As these technologies continue to develop, the capacity for orchestral managers to harness them creatively and ethically will play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of orchestral music, making it an indispensable area of focus for those at the helm of these cultural institutions.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/29az5
Dong-hee, Hwang. 2023. “Robot to Conduct Orchestra for the First Time in Korea.” June 27, 2023. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230627000678.
Funk, Marc-Philipp, and Nassim Chloe Eghtebas. 2023. “Can a Virtual Conductor Create Its Own Interpretation of a Music Orchestra?” arXiv [Cs.HC]. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2304.08434.
MusicAlly. 2022. “7 Reasons Why AI Music Was Fascinating AND Controversial in 2022.” December 14, 2022. https://musically.com/2022/12/14/reasons-ai-music-fascinating-2022/.
“This Is the World’s First Robot to Conduct an Orchestra.” 2017. CNBC. September 14, 2017. https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/09/14/this-is-the-worlds-first-robot-to-conduct-an-orchestra.html.
Zhang, Xuanhe. 2023. “Violin Etude Composing Based on LSTM Model.” Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology 39 (April): 54–60. https://doi.org/10.54097/hset.v39i.6493.
More details and relevant bibliographic references may be found in my new book, Orchestra Management in Practice (Routledge, London, 2024).
The author, not a native English speaker, used Large Language Models (LLMs) for editing the article, addressing grammar, syntax, and spelling, enhancing fluency and readability, and translating sections from his native languages. Academically, LLMs helped in peer-reviewing, identifying gaps, and suggesting improvements.
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