This is an electronic performance using the MuSeeks Virtual Orchestra. Unlike the famous Tomita version of ‘The Planets’ in 1975, which had a “space age” Moog Modular synthesizer sound to it, the aim of this recording was realism, using technology of the 1990’s and mid-2000’s. Is it not ironic that Tomita used what is now considered “primitive” synthesizer technology to sound futuristic; but that I am now using futuristic technology to sound classical?

Part of my aim in developing the MuSeeks Virtual Electronic Orchestra was to develop an easier / faster interface to a hyper-realistic pallette of great sounds. I have over 50,000 instrument-note samples, including different violin section bowings, real choirs, tons of drum textures, plus infinite synthesis possibilities. This can be synched to film or video images, or later, to body movements.

Another aim is to help educate more of the population about music, by designing tools which give better interaction with sounds, at lower cost. New control interfaces I’m exploring might allow users to conduct tempo, volume, brightness and other parameters, in immersive ways. One of the first steps is in improving the responsiveness of orchestral sounds to computer input systems (be it mouse or keyboard), and then expanding input methods towards improved man-machine interfaces. The results of my initial steps are heard here. From there, one can then think about modulating things like tempo with body movements and batons, perhaps using a neural network algorithm to “look ahead” of the conductor and notes, as real live orchestra players do.

Musical learning has been linked with increased IQ, medical and psychological healing. History shows music ed has a profound influence on MacroEconomics. A nation’s educational quotient is linked with technological advancement, productivity and money supply. What irks me is that economists have largely left music out of the equation.

Any survey of the autobiographies of great scientists like Albert Einstein, Edwin Armstrong (father of FM radio) will reveal that “higher” music like that of Bach was in fact central to inspiring their discoveries. And those discoveries in turn, have vastly improved our standard of living, ushering in computer chips, microwave ovens, and spread spectrum radio (in cell phones, also invented by a pianist and a famous actress). Without sophisticated music, our scientists have would never have discovered inventions which now drive our modern economy. Therefore the advancements today which pay everyone’s salaries would have been lost. This is the debt we owe to great composers, past and present.

So why, then, are people mostly not grateful enough to support the work of great composers and music education in general? People everywhere violate music copyrights, and expect even gifted/schooled musicians to perform for free. This forms a barrier to progress, by killing off the great talents who’s role it is to inspire progress and peace bolstering the Economy. To change that

There is a profound connection between musical learning and excellence in all the other topics, especially math, science, law, psychology, medecine, history, and language. The state of a nation’s music education has an intimate relation with its technology advancement rate, intellectual capital and production quotients. Therefore music education is of central importance in improving the world’s economy and advancement.

What if popular music & media were used more often and more intelligently in classrooms to demonstrate mathematical concepts? Rather than stare blankly at equations on the blackboard, students can now see the numbers come to life in the form of eye candy, like Fantasia-style sound waves or stock market signals. More kids will aspire towards invention, business acumen, lawful behavior (ref. Confucius, Plato) or overall excellence. Perhaps we’ll finally populate Mars (pun intended), or invent Warp Drive. Don’t think of today as being “advanced”. We’re still very much in the Dark Ages, so primitive.

A more integrated approach can allow teachers to “include” kids born with all kinds of learniing styles and preferences. Let the kids conduct an electronic orchestra related to a historic period, or play with a simulated pipe organ or guitar on computer along with lyric analysis, or play with toys that can simultaneously display waveforms and relate them to mathematical concepts, or pop music licensing in movies to demonstrate the US Constitution laws of Copyrights (Article 8 Section 8).

Scientists could lower the cost of access to great sounding instruments or teachers, connecting kids to hidden mentors in every locale. The opportunity is to stimulate sub-economies in every town, expanding private and public teacher opportunities, drawing people naturally to play with instruments as with technology, thus increasing dialog between music, science and learning. Such is part of the vision behind my MuSeeks.com and MusicTimeline.org.

‘The Planets’ is an ideal case in point. Holst inspired both John Williams and George Lucas’ movie ‘Star Wars’, which in turn got the USA out of the dire Economic Depression rut of the 70’s. Star Wars music inspired kids to become astronauts, and invent the Internet today. So who owes whom? Just wages of musicians and reduction of piracy will be the salvation of Mankind.

So here then, is Gustav Holst, ‘The Planets’, performed electronically by yours truly.

Arthur David Sulit, Palo Alto, CA - October 22, 2004
www.MuSeeks.com/ArthurSulit

BIO: Arthur Sulit is an ex-Navy engineer. He is co-inventor of SnipNSend.com and MuSeeks.com.