During a concert in Malmö, Sweden, one of the world’s ” robot cellists ” performed a piece with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra entirely live. This development was made by composer and researcher Fredrik Gran, who devised a system of industrial robotic arms , made with 3D parts, to perform a piece created specifically for the robot, by renowned Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad.
Robot plays cello with Malmö Symphony Orchestra
This robot didn’t use AI to play, instead it was programmed to follow a score by Mühlrad , who sought to explore the relationship between sound and robotic movement. “ I’ve always imagined the orchestra as a collective organism, so I was curious to see how it would react to a robotic soloist ,” explained Mühlrad, who described the result as “ a fascinating symbiosis between human and robotic elements. ”
The robotic cello playing was met with amazement. Mühlrad, whose work bridges classical music and technology, described the project as a way to “ challenge the physical limits of musical performance ,” because the robot’s design allows it to play in positions that would be impossible for a human. “ It’s an exciting exploration of how a cello can be played in conditions that transcend the dimensions of the human hand,” the composer said.
Although this technology opens up a new field in music, Mühlrad makes it clear that he is not looking to replace human musicians, but to broaden the creative horizon. The cellist robot is an engineering achievement, and an educational tool that, in Mühlrad’s words, “ allows you to explore how far you can go in playing string instruments .”
The robot’s performance at Malmö Live Concert Hall is the first of its kind and symbolises a new era in symphonic music. The robot gave a flawless performance, adding an emotional nuance to Mühlrad’s piece. He designed the piece with the intention that the audience would experience a paradox: “ It was exciting to create music that conveyed emotion, and it is ironic that it is a robot that does it ,” concluded the artist.
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Source: Malmö Live Kon serthus
Photo: Fredrik Gran
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