But that doesn't say anything about computer-generated music. I've been following its development for even more than thirty years, and we did indeed have to wait until 2025 to hear completely convincing results for the first time. The models currently available are optimized for pop, jazz, and other music styles, but not yet for classical music. However, there are already studies that have made it very clear that almost 100% of people can no longer distinguish between human-made and machine-made music (I'll provide a reference on request). I last tried this in May, letting Suno interpret my own pieces, and was impressed in every respect (here are the examples: https://rochus-keller.ch/?p=1350). The arrangement and the musicality evident in the interpretation clearly have a human quality. It is simply not true, that the choice between classical recordings proves that greatness cannot be achieved through averaging or pattern-matching. Much great music, including classical masterpieces and jazz standards, works precisely because it follows established patterns and conventions while introducing variations within those structures. E.g. in Jazz, an improvisation itself is pattern-based, using scales, chord progressions, rhythmic conventions, with creative variations. If AI can learn these patterns and introduce variations (which Suno demonstrably does), why can't that be "great"?
To my knowledge, we don't have LLMs yet trained especially to generate classical music (at least I haven't heard a convincing one so far). In this respect, I have to agree with the author that, at least in the classical field, we don't have the same quality as in other musical styles (yet). But that is only a matter of time, and it is not for the reasons the author supposes. As demonstrated with my - and actually also the authors - example, even among human artists, there can be huge quality differences. The author's "immortal souls" retreat is essentially an abandonment of empirical arguments for unfalsifiable metaphysics, which essentially concedes the technical debate.