Last year we reported that Huawei was using the AI technology that they had developed for the Kirin 970. That time around they were using the AI to help a car recognise and then take action to avoid the objects. We were able to actually see this in the real world and Leigh was riding in the passenger seat while it happened. if you want to relive this experience then you can do so by checking the article here.
Now to say this will be a unique version of the symphony is an understatement. The Third and fourth movements have been recompiled by using Huawei’s Dual NPU based AI system that was on a specially configured Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Analysing the timbre, pitch and meter of the existing first and second movements of the symphony, the AI model then generated the melody for the final, missing third and fourth movements. Huawei then worked with Emmy award-winning composer, Lucas Cantor to arrange an orchestral score from the melody that stayed true to the style of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8.
Now they could just release this music onto the internet via Youtube or on their various social media outlets but that is not Huawei’s style is it. So what they are doing is showing this musical feat off at the Cadogan Hall in London on Monday 4th February. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend the event this time around but rest assured it will be an insightful and potentially emotional performance.
HUAWEI USES THE POWER OF AI TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE AND FINISH SCHUBERT’S ‘UNFINISHED SYMPHONY’
Huawei set to unveil unique version of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 with live performance in London
View the video teaser for Unfinished Symphony here.
Huawei, the global technology leader, has – for the first time ever – combined the power of AI and human expertise to compose the final two movements of Schubert’s famous Symphony No. 8. Commonly known as the ‘Unfinished Symphony.’ The ‘Unfinished Symphony’ has remained incomplete for 197 years and despite numerous attempts it remains one of the most intriguing pieces of unfinished symphonic music of all time.
Huawei’s completed version of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 was created by running an Artificial Intelligence model benefitting directly from the processing power of the dual NPU (Neural Processing Unit) in the Huawei Mate 20 Pro smartphone – designed specifically with AI-based tasks in mind. Analysing the timbre, pitch and meter of the existing first and second movements of the symphony, the AI model then generated the melody for the final, missing third and fourth movements. Huawei then worked with Emmy award-winning composer, Lucas Cantor to arrange an orchestral score from the melody that stayed true to the style of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8.
“At Huawei, we are always searching for ways in which technology can make the world a better place. So we taught our Mate 20 Pro smartphone to analyse an unfinished, nearly 200 year old piece of music and to finish it in the style of the original composer,” commented Walter Ji, President CBG, Huawei Western Europe. “We used the power of AI, to extend the boundaries of what is humanly possible and see the positive role technology might have on modern culture. If our smartphone is intelligent enough to do this, what else could be possible?”
Lucas Cantor, Composer said: “My role was to draw out the AI’s good ideas and fill in the gaps to ensure the final output was ready to be played by a symphony orchestra. The result of this collaboration with AI proves that technology offers incredible possibilities and the significant and positive impact it can have on modern culture.”
The final, Huawei-completed piece will be brought to life with a live performance at the iconic Cadogan Hall in London on Monday 4th February.
Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in B minor is considered to be the archetypal ‘Unfinished Symphony’. Musicologists are still in disagreement as to why Schubert failed to complete the piece, some cite his ill health, others claim that he was distracted by his follow up piece of work, but what is agreed upon is that he was charting new musical terrain with the piece.
Further information and the finished symphony can be found via:
https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/campaign/unfinishedsymphony/
Well, this year they have decided to use the Kirin 980 to see what they can do but have taken a different path this time around. The project this year has been well a little bit more of a challenge as they have decided that they are going to attempt to finish a piece of unfinished music by a noteworthy composer. Now it is not just any composer in question the sights have been set on Schubert and his infamous Unfinished Symphony No. 8 which has been waiting to be completed for nearly 200 years.