Toronto Symphony Orchestra gives the much-anticipated world premiere of Daníel Bjarnason​’s first major symphonic work, I Want to Be Alive — Trilogy for Orchestra. Toronto Symphony also gave the premiere of the first part of this work in 2023. Now in its completed form, the piece is inspired by questions of humanity and consciousness raised by artificial intelligence and our ever-evolving relationship to technology. The title is taken from a 2023 New York Times article in which the Microsoft chatbot Bing seemed to have a persona, Sydney, with hopes and desires.

Bjarnason writes:

‘I wanted to think about how ancient archetypes resonate in the modern world, especially when viewed through the lens of technological innovation, such as artificial intelligence. To explore questions about humanity, consciousness, and the interplay between technology and myth and how that reflects on the human condition. What is on our relationship with the machines we have created and what is the role of empathy and connection in a world increasingly shaped by these machines?’.

The movements draw from mythological archetypes of humanity, subtitled Echo (Man Needs Man), Narcissus (We Need Mirrors), and Pandora’s Box. The piece was commissioned by Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic

Toronto Symphony Orchestra is conducted by music director Gustavo Gimeno on 7 and 10 May, in a programme that also features Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6.