anticipation

This is a really interesting thought. I'd say that merit lies in the creative process that drives artists to create great works. If, let's say, it really did take someone with a computer 1/12th the effort, time, and dedication to create from nothing Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5" as it did the 19th century composer, my question would still be is it any less moving? Any less beautiful? And would you even care if you weren't told that the two used different processes to achieve their goal?

This is actually really pertinent in my own musical leanings; J Dilla crafted some of the most amazing songs in usually less than 30 minutes because his innovative and groundbreaking musical intelligence, which stemmed from his innate artistic ability to tangentially approach rhythm and harmony. To me, Dilla is definitely on par with any of history's greatest composers in terms of merit, be it technical proficiency or creative impetus. Regardless of how he made it, he still did make beauteous art that is unquestionably worthy of adulation.