5 days Ago
A budding composer and college sophomore has already achieved his first viral hit. On March 20, Ethan McMurray, a music student at Oakland University in Michigan, to Instagram that racked up more than 8 million views. The 20-year-old’s instrumental earworm, however, has one very peculiar muse: the dulcet tones of a grilled mushroom.
In the video, McMurray listens to the source of his tune: a TikTok from user @kkmgood picked from a Beijing-style hotpot and placed on a cone for grilling. The original clip, which has more than 31.9 million views, shows that when the mushroom is set on the hotpot’s cone grill, it appears to 'sing.
' Inspired by the video, McMurray created what he called “a little mushroom symphony!!🍄🟫." His mycelium-based masterpiece begins with the trill of a Chinese dizi flute. Later, a bassoon, harp, oboes, clarinets, horns and other instruments join in.
Many folks who heard McMurray’s piece tossed virtual roses onto the stage of his comments section. “I’m telling my future children that he’s Beethoven,” another. “I’ve no idea how long I’ve been listening to this on loop,” another fan.
“this guy is talented, like actually 100% talented. Like mark my word, my dude, you gonna be composing movie scores soon🔥🔥🔥🔥.” Many of the comments the piece to Studio Ghibli, the animation house known for “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro.
" Others say the tune is akin to Disney’s “ ” or “Mulan,” and think that the magical company should use McMurray’s talents in the future. “Disney should hire you,” one commenter and another that the conglomerate “owes you a phone call.” McMurray says he’s been writing music since he was 14 years old, but this piece marks his first time writing in the pentatonic musical scale as well as using Chinese instruments.
“When I posted the video, it never even occurred to me that it would get so much attention, but I understand why,” he tells TODAY.com. “People love classical music — they just might not know it.
” McMurray says that his musical inspirations include Tchaikovsky, James Newton Howard and musical theater greats like Steven Schwartz and Alan Menken, but he holds a special place in his heart for John Williams. “I grew up reading the Harry Potter books, and so then watching the movies with all of his scores, I think that’s a huge reason why I love composition so much,” McMurray says. “I think for everyone, musician or not, the nostalgia a classical score can bring is unmatched.
” The student, who also sings and plays violin, says that he may keep composing using unusual sources — in fact, he’s already composed from the sounds of a tiny violin toy. McMurray says his next inspiration could come from anywhere: food, babies cooing or cats making any one of their myriad of noises. He has encouraged people to submit sounds they find musical.
“I’ve been sent washer and dryer videos that people think have some potential for a symphony. I think that’s so cool." Joseph Lamour is the food reporter at TODAY.
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