Moloch (For Full Orchestra) - Gabriel Combs

Performance by Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra Copyright © 2026 Gabriel Combs Program Notes: “‘What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination? Moloch… whose mind is pure machinery! … Moloch in whom I sit lonely! Moloch in whom I dream Angels!’ Allen Ginsberg, ‘Howl’ (1956) In Moloch, I explore the tension between human creativity and the systems that seek to consume it. Inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s depiction of the biblical demon in his poem ‘Howl,’ I portray Moloch not as a literal monster, but as a representation of systems that demand sacrifice from individuality and imagination. In modern society, there is a large demand for efficiency, often at the expense of the expression and creativity that give human experiences their meaning. From corporate pressures and consumerist tendencies to the rise of social media and particularly artificial intelligence, our world has become increasingly intertwined with forces that shape how we work, create, and define ourselves. While on the surface, the everyday rewards of this system may be appealing, a deeper look into how we can be shaped by it reveals a potential loss of touch with what makes us human. My piece depicts this tension by creating an inviting sound world that eventually collapses. The opening theme is warm and colorful but soon begins to falter until it transforms into an overwhelming wall of sound, representing the mechanical nature of this ‘Moloch.’ The following, more plaintive section serves as a reflection of the cost of what is sacrificed in pursuit of efficiency. This then transforms into a final section that recalls the opening themes with renewed urgency, representing humanity’s enduring struggle to create and express itself.”