Direct robots: Dresden symphonists celebrate innovative premiere!

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As part of a fascinating project, the Dresden symphonists dare to make the leap into the future of music: the »Robot Symphony«. This is not just a creative challenge, but also an exciting technical experiments between humans and machines.

The idea of ​​making robots conducting is spraying with innovation. More than twenty years ago, when the Dresden symphonists performed an almost unplayable work by the composer Conlon Nancarrow, director Markus Rindt came up with the idea of ​​exploring the possibilities of machines for the first time. At that time, the idea of ​​a machine that conducts was still unrealistic. After many years, however, the technology has developed, and Rindt finally found support from the TU Dresden and the computer science professor Frank Fitzek to seriously work on this vision.

The challenges when conducting robots

Conducting is a tricky task for a robot, since it is not just about precise arm movements: an orchestra needs much more than just tact - it is about emotions, fine nuances and facial expressions of the human director. Rindt and his team concentrate in the first tests to train the arm movements of three collaborative robots in such a way that they can imitate the subtleties of a human conductor. The essential human creativity remains the engine of this project, because new rhythmic compositions are to be created that would not be possible without technical support.

The project combines numerous aspects of art and technology to create a completely new music experience. The robots are programmed for various works, including works by Wieland Reissmann, John Williams and Andreas Gundlach. However, the challenge is that the musicians have to implement the movements of the robots into sound without this music being able to perceive. "Our robots do not hear anything!" States Rindt, and that presents the musicians with an immense challenge.

The "Robot Symphony" will take place on Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th, in the Festspielhaus Hellerau. It is a special occasion as part of the 25th anniversary of the Dresden symphonists. Moritz Lobeck, program manager of the festival, emphasizes the importance of this performance in the context of the Hybrid Biennale 2024, which deals intensively with sound art projects. "This interaction between man and machine is fascinating and we are pleased that the Dresden symphonists are part of it," says Lobeck about the event.

director Markus Rindt underlines that people should not be replaced by machines. "We do not create a replacement, but expand our repertoire," he explains. The robots should not take over the function of a conductor, but rather contribute to expanding the musical possibilities and discovering new sound worlds.

The idea that robots and people work together represents an exciting appropriation of new technologies. The concert is streamed live so that the audience can also experience how art and science merge in a new form. For interested parties who would like to learn more about this extraordinary project, the Dresdner offers the latest news.

With this presence of machines in art, the festival not only emphasizes technological progress, but also raises important questions: where does people end and where does technology begin? The "robot symphony" will take up these topics and make it clear through sound and performance.