Marc Migó
The Hum
Duration: 7'
Instrumentation details:
1st clarinet in Bb
2nd clarinet in Bb
1st trumpet in Bb
2nd trumpet in Bb
The Hum
Sample pages
Video
Work introduction
"The Hum" is a name referring to mysterious reports of intrusive and foreboding trumpet-like or droning noises, which not everyone can hear. Although some perceive it as a sign of the end of times, in reality its most probable causes include local mechanical sources, often from industrial plants, as well as manifestations of tinnitus or other biological auditory effects. What fascinates me the most about "The Hum" is its otherworldly sound, which has inspired many urban legends, paired with its plausible connection with unstoppable—and often reckless—technological advance. It is an apt symbol of our times, sitting at the crossroads between sonic pollution—a byproduct of civilization's activity—and the search for healthier lifestyles, between science and the seduction of the supernatural. This piece explores the insidiousness of the phenomenon and aspires to portray what some people may hear and register as a bad omen.
—Marc Migó