YEREVAN-TOURINFO- The world’s top technology and business leaders gather this week in Yerevan, Armenia for the 23rd World Congress on Information Technology. On October 6th 2019, Yerevan hosted the world’s first Artificial Intelligence concert performed by the WCIT Orchestra at the Republic Square in Yerevan directed by Armenia State Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Sergey Smbatyan to mark the opening of the WCIT 2019. This is the first time that symphonic music was composed in real-time by AI technology and performed live by an orchestra of live human musicians.
The WCIT Orchestra, composed of 100 musicians from 15 countries (70 foreign and 30 Armenian musicians), works by famous Armenian composers Aram Khachaturian, Tigran Mansurian and others were performed during the event.
For the first time in world practice, the orchestra performed an Armenian spiritual song – “Shara
kan” – as conceived by means of artificial intelligence software based on Armenian sacred music analyses. The musical piece was presented to the orchestra in real time using artificial intelligence and performed by musicians.
Renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturyan’s most acclaimed composition, The Sabre Dance, was also brought into the digital age with an awe-inspiring 3D mapping projected onto the Republic Square.
World-class musical innovator Armin Van Buuren closed the ceremony with his psychedelic visual effects. Armin Van Buuren is a Grammy-winning DJ and record producer. His unique mixes are credited with erupting trance music into a global sensation. At the end of the show he chanted “Thank You Yerevan” with the Tricolor Armenian Flag on his shoulder.
Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises President Alexander Yesayan, the chairman of the steering committee of WCIT 2019 said: “Initially, we have intended to make the IT World Congress in Yerevan an unforgettable and remarkable event: This is one of the surprises we have prepared for the international community, to show the Armenian innovative thought. We prove that the center of the world is where there is talent and innovation, in this particular case in Yerevan’s heart, in the Republic Square”.
