麻豆精选

Sounds of the Ukraine war

What these recordings of daily life reveal about the human and environmental costs.

An aerial image of Chancellors Court, including Old Joe, Aston Webb and some greenery around the clock tower.

A Kyiv resident describes it as her favourite morning sound. She is referring to the crisp, clear sound of a trumpet coming from a nearby street. The music is beautiful and soulful, played by a military veteran who sits in the same spot every weekend.

鈥淚 am inspired by this strong person who not only plays but also brings a ray of hope to the whole district with his music,鈥 the interviewee reflects.

Existing research on war and sound has mainly focused on what J. Martin Daughtry, associate professor of ethnomusicology and sound studies at New York University, terms 鈥渢he belliphonic鈥 鈥 meaning the spectrum of sounds produced by armed combat. Gunfire. Shellings. Explosions.

In reality...