Ever since computers have come to be, people have wondered if they can think, or even better yet; create.  The movies that show the future often depict computers building themselves, self-repairing, and eventually becoming sentient.  While I won’t get into that debate, I will start another already controversial topic in regards to computers “creating”.

Enter David Cope.  He is a composer and also a software programmer.  Mixing the two in one person has a huge potential for making big changes.  His dream has been to see if computers can actually compose musical masterpieces as good as, if not better than, the masters themselves.  I think he’s done it, or at least come extremely close.

David Cope has created a software program he calls Emmy back in the mid 80’s to use mathematics to compose very beautiful music.  The music was incredible considering its source.  This raised questions whether computers could create better than humans, if they can, then what’s so special about Mozart.  The question that crossed the line was if Beethoven used soul to create his masterpieces or just clever mathematics.

Cope’s answers “not much” and “yes” started the controversy.  These comments earned him the nickname “The Tin Man” in reference to the Wizard of Oz character without a heart.  A few years later he decided to scrap the whole idea.

Well, he’s back and apparently with a better version of his original software.  He calls this version Emily Howell.  There are samples of the music on Youtube and other media outlets.  Posting the entire URL will be too cumbersome, so I suggest you just search for the phrase Emily Howell Music, or just Emily Howell.

I’ve listened to the computer-generated music and it is very nice.  I’m no professional critic, just someone that enjoys music.  With my limited knowledge and general ear, I will say that it’s amazing considering the source.  Decide for yourself and see if you agree.

Musical critics and those who know what they’re talking about are across the spectrum on this subject.  Some admit that it is as good as the professionals, others can’t tell the difference, and several call it trash and senseless.  I’ve seen comments on both sides of the fence about whether it’s better or worse than what a music student will produce.

I think it’s interesting that computer-generated original music is so good that it’s causing such a controversy.  If it were truly garbage, nobody would enjoy it and the subject would be dead.  However, here we are debating and talking about it.  It just makes me wonder what lies in the near and distant future as to what computers can accomplish independently.  Keep in mind; computers are only about 50ish years old.