Dresden Symphony Orchestra: A robot is conducting the orchestra for the first time!

Dresden Symphony Orchestra: A robot is conducting the orchestra for the first time!

In a remarkable premiere, the Dresden Symphony Orchestra is about to have a concert conducted by a robot conductor. This extraordinary event is broadcast not only locally but worldwide, attracting the attention of music and technology lovers alike.

The concert takes place in the once famous Festspielhaus Hellerau in Dresden. The performance will be shown on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at exactly 8 p.m. and the following Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at prices of 29 euros for adults and reduced prices between 12 and 19 euros. Information about this can be found via advance booking.

A look at the robot conductor MAiRA Pro S

The robot conductor is called “MAiRA Pro S” and brings innovative technology to the orchestra. It consists of three movable arms that give the musicians precise direction and tempo. She is expected to take control of the musical performance as the concert progresses, while human conductor Magnus Loddgard clears the stage for the machine after the break.

Markus Rindt, the director of the Dresden Symphony Orchestra, emphasizes that MAiRA Pro S has the ability to lead the orchestra at different speeds at the same time. This makes it possible to create complex musical structures that would traditionally not be feasible for a human conductor. An example of this is the piece “#kreuzknot” by Wieland Reissmann, which will be performed during the concert.

The collaboration between humans and machines

The project, years in the making, shows how humans and machines can work together to create something unique. "The idea of ​​using a robot as a conductor already existed 20 years ago. At that time it seemed like a utopia, but today's technical advances make it possible," says Rindt. He reports that the machine's movements now appear harmonious and almost alive.

The Technical University of Dresden was largely responsible for the development of the robot lady. In the Cluster of Excellence “CeTI” (Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop), the robot was given the necessary skills to act as a conductor. “We don’t want to replace conductors,” emphasizes Rindt, “but rather open up new musical horizons and experiment with what is possible when you work together with a robot.”

In addition to the musical performance, the project is also an educational project; A collaboration was initiated with Dresden high school students who, in addition to the symphony, were able to design their own choreography in conjunction with the robot dog Spot from Boston Dynamics. This choreography will be presented during the concert.

On Sunday, October 13th, the entire concert will be broadcast live by Deutsche Welle, giving international audiences the opportunity to witness this fascinating experiment. The streaming can be accessed on the Deutsche Welle website.

This is not the first time that the Dresden Symphony Orchestra has attracted attention through innovative projects. Since their founding in the late 1990s, they have often dedicated themselves to performing contemporary music while also addressing relevant social and political issues.

The fusion of art and technology, as demonstrated in this project, gives hope for further exciting developments in the music world. By boldly breaking new ground, the Dresden Symphony Orchestra shows how tradition and innovation can be combined to create something new, which remains remarkable even in the most modern times of digital music history.