The access to music has never been so easy as it is in these days. All kind of music can be easily found, and be listened privately using different devices or in public places: from streets, clubs to massive festivals. There is also freedom to express yourself through music, regardless of the ideology or the content of the lyrics. However, it is known that neither this freedom exists everywhere nor it’s always been like this.

This artwork was conceived for an exhibition held in the Music High school from the German city of Münster and focuses on the darkest days of the recent history of this country, the National Socialism. During this years of terror, a lot of music was banned being considered Degenerate Music for being harmful and decadent: works by Jewish and Jewish origin composers, music with African roots, works by composers that had shown sympathy for opponents of the Nazi Regime or also the Modernist musicians.

Also many musicians in the occupied areas during World War II were persecuted and although some musicians could escape, hundreds of them, mostly Jews, were captured and killed.

Hiden listening is an interactive sound installation that looks back in the times when some music should be listened or even danced in clandestinity. Pieces of Swing and Jazz from the 30’s  are played until de presence of the visitors is detected. When that happens, a voice raises the alert and the music is sudenly stopped. When the situation is safe again, the listening starts automatically again.