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Originally Posted by veery715  I wonder seriously about the musicians who'd allow themselves to be conducted by a robot. (Well. it is Detroit after all, and robots are "in" there.) Real conductors use more than a stick and their hands. The most lauded use(d) their eyes as much.
I'd like to see robots perform valuable and challenging tasks to benefit us all, and art should be left to humans. Elephants, chimps, and cats can paint too, but it isn't art.
These stunts are not productive, and take attention away from issues that do matter. For example, a robot in the White House would be a step up.  |
Amen to that latter statement, Veery! I think the key word regarding the conducting robot is "stunt." It reminds me of the old Fellini film "Orchestra Rehearsal," in which, in one scene, a giant metronome was placed in front of the orchestra. I forget the exact message and idea Fellini was trying to convey, but the effect is the same. I'm not going to lose any sleep worrying about robot conductors just yet. "Virtual orchestras" on shows is another matter!
Keep it live,
Chas Reskin
Editions Bim and The Brass Press, International Music Publishing