Robert Mraček is a Slovenian pianist, conductor, composer, and arranger who began his musical journey at the age of five. He has worked extensively with the SNG Maribor Opera since 1989, serving in various roles, including choir director and orchestral musician. Mraček has composed and arranged numerous works, including an opera about Nikola Tesla, set to premiere in 2024. His recent focus is on exploring the emotional impact of music on human experiences.
"AI has the potential to become a powerful tool in the music industry, complementing human creativity, but it will never replace the emotional depth and cultural context that human musicians bring to their performances."
Is AI qualified and able to create music that excites humans?
I am a traditional musician, working at Opera house and create music, similar to romantic tradition. AI is more useful in music production or making different styles of modern music, where AI learns patterns and elements that are commonly found in successful and emotional impactful music. AI can adapt music to fit specific moods or user preferences. Some advancements in AI technology continue to bridge the gap musical challenge and fully emotional nuance and expressiveness.
Do you think AI could be used to analyze successful pieces of music from all genres and epochs to create the perfect masterpiece?
It depends on several considerations. It can be similar to original music from which AI gets ideas. I am sure it will be some new style in music with experimental rhythms, unconventional harmonies. It can create and lead to very unique musical pieces. Sometime I think it will be more useful for some music for film background or some other lighter occasions. In the present, composers are surely not ready for the synergy between AI and a human. But AI has the potential to become a highly proficient creator of music.
What would be the difference between a human composer and an AI composer?
This is an intriguing idea. But how would it look like? As a composer, I am loyal to some sort of style. It is very hard to mix those specialities in one perfect piece of music. In the past; social, political and technological factors influenced musical trends and preferences.
Are you afraid that AI will replace musicians?
The most promising approach might involve a synergy between AI and human creativity, where AI provides valuable insights and tools, while human composers bring emotional depth, cultural understanding, and innovative vision. Furthermore, everyone wants to resonate deeply with a wide audience, which will be hard to achieve.
How about, "AI, create and play me a song right now that lightens my mood," and the AI creates it on the go/live?
In some electronical music it is already done. But in classical symphony orchestra it will not be the case. People want to come to concert halls and theaters, and this prestige will be, or must be still present. They want to experience real concerts. There are some tools which you can use to create music. If somebody asks AI to do so, it can be the case that it will lead to the same result multiple times.
Is it legitimate to use AI for better lyrics?
Yes. In the case of lyrics it is very useful to use AI. It can provide more ideas faster than a human, so you can save a lot of time using it for better ideas.
Will AI be the better musician since it can plan and play every simulated instrument perfectly?
There are more things to consider. People like to compare how different musicians play the same piece. Technical perfection can sometimes be extraordinary to listeners. This will eliminate human characteristics, it will be played in perfect timing. Music is deeply emotional and expressive. Humans draw from their personal experiences and emotions to infuse their performances with depth and subtle nuances. This can deeply resonate with listeners.
Do you think AI could have a musical soul?
As I mentioned earlier, creativity, cultural context, emotions, and human experiences—this is what gives music a soul. Music is not created in a vacuum, it is supposed to be played in different music halls or stages. So, every interpreter narrows it down to the current conditions in which they create.
In 20 years, how will AI, humans, and music co-exist?
It is inherently speculative to predict the future. But based on current trends and advancements, we can make some guesses about it. It will be partnership, customization, interactivity, virtuality, innovativity, maybe educational development as well. It will also have a big economical impact. I wish there will be a warm symbiosis in this relationship.
An academic musician, pianist, conductor, composer, and arranger, Robert Mraček hails from a musical family.
He began his musical journey at the age of five, starting with piano lessons. In 1990, he graduated from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana under the guidance of Professor Zdenka Novak. He continued his studies in conducting at the Academy of Music in Zagreb from 2001 to 2005, successfully graduating under the tutelage of Professor Vjekoslav Šutej in 2005.
Since 1989, he has been employed at the SNG Maribor Opera. Initially, he worked as a répétiteur for the opera ensemble and choir until 1996, after which he was appointed as the choir director of the SNG Maribor Opera Chorus. Over his fifteen years in this role (up until 2011), he prepared 64 opera premieres and concerts. He is also active as an arranger for choir and orchestra, such as the Academic Orchestra of the Society of Music Artists in Maribor, where he initially served as a harpsichordist and later as the president, leader, and conductor of the orchestra. They performed approximately 30 concerts, including some of his own compositions and arrangements for orchestra with soloists, mostly featuring young artists. In 2011, he took on the role of a recognized solo orchestral musician – a keyboard instrument player in the SNG Maribor Orchestra. He also regularly assists as a conductor in Maribor’s opera productions (e.g., Il trovatore, My Fair Lady, La fanciulla del West). Additionally, he is a frequent guest on Slovenian concert stages as a pianist in performances with opera soloists.
Mraček also composes music and arranges well-known works. During his active years with the choir, he wrote numerous arrangements of choral Christmas songs, all of which were performed at Opera Chorus concerts. Among his notable achievements is the acclaimed arrangement of the popular song “Caruso,” performed at the traditional Opera Night (2023) in various locations across Slovenia by soprano Petya Ivanova and the SNG Maribor Symphony Orchestra.
In October 2024, his opera The Man Who Tamed the Lightning will be premiered, for which he wrote both the music and the libretto. The opera describes the life and greatest inventions of one of the most remarkable inventors, Nikola Tesla, and is the result of Mraček’s inspiration, gained through years of research into literature, life stories of authors, and heroes.
Recently, Robert Mraček has dedicated his musical expertise to exploring the significance of tones and chords. His research extends to various life conditions and general situations. Mraček studies how music can reflect and influence human perceptions of love, happiness, serenity, worry, fear, and other life experiences. Through this approach, he aims to enrich his artistic expression and offer his audience a deeper understanding of musical art.
