U.S.-China Composers Forum introduces AI to -write the future-
The grand opening concert of the 7th China Now Music Festival was recently held at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, orchestrated by Artistic Director Cai Jindong and featuring The Orchestra Now. This festival, co-hosted by the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music, embraces the theme “Composing the Future” and marks the first time artificial intelligence technology has been integrated into their efforts, bringing together over a hundred musicians from the US and China for a unique musical celebration.
Before the concert, the second US-China Music Forum took place, focusing on the theme of “Composing the Future.” The discussions unfolded in the Rohatyn Room of Carnegie Hall. Li Xiaobing, the director of the Department of Music Artificial Intelligence and Music Information Technology at the Central Conservatory, noted that there were plans to include a robot in the conducting but ultimately, those plans fell through. Meanwhile, Sun Yuming, a teacher in the electronic music composition department, emphasized that AI’s creative potential should extend beyond mere coding; it should continue to push the boundaries of music.
That evening’s concert showcased a beautiful fusion of Eastern aesthetics in symphonic form, with compositions like “Jing • Ju” by composer Gong Tianpeng and “Hundred-Headed Beast” by Du Yun, offering fresh interpretations of Chinese traditional opera and American soul music alike. The concert also featured symphonic works by professors Qin Wencheng and Yao Chen from the Central Conservatory’s composition department. Qin’s piece, “Ling Lun’s Music Diagram,” draws inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology, depicting how Ling Lun, inspired by the sounds of nature, created musical instruments and established the twelve pitches to express the sound variations of the world.
The concert also highlighted orchestral works created through artificial intelligence, including “Overture: Welcome” and “A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains,” composed by the AI system of the Central Conservatory of Music.
Cai Jindong remarked, “Generations of Chinese composers have been laying the groundwork for the future of classical music. Some are exploring the use of artificial intelligence technology to create new forms of musical expression. However, we continue to believe that the core of music creation comes from human creativity and imagination.”
The festival will conclude with a closing performance on Saturday, October 19. Audiences can visit carnegiehall.org for more information and ticket purchases. Additionally, on the evening of October 18, the Bard College Fisher Center will host a free open concert located at 60 Manor Avenue, Red Hook, NY 12571.
