The AI-based music composition system Ricercar, which is being developed in the Ars Electronica Futurelab by artist and researcher Ali Nikrang, can express the initials A.E.F. (Ars Electronica Futurelab) and A.E.C (Ars Electronica Center) as musical notes and composes two pieces based on the resulting musical theme: “Sounding Letters”. Not only the composition is thus created in close collaboration between human and machine. Also the result is performed by the artist in a joint performance together with a Steinway & Sons Spirio self-playing piano.
What does it sound like when man and machine compose and perfom music in harmony? Listen for yourself!