bobc wrote:
This morning, as I headed toward the kitchen to have breakfast, I noted that
my 10-year-old infrequently-used General Electric "XL44" gas range was
making an "alarm" sound near the clock area that was NOT the distinct alarm
of the Minute Timer, which I can turn on and off at will (and which I
believe is the only alarm the range has). This alarm sound would go from
barely audible for a few moments to a true "alarm" that could be heard from
the basement and then back to a dull roar....

Chances are the noise you hear is coming from the transformer that
supplies the burner ignitors. Try reaching into the oven vents at the
bottom of the backsplash to see if you can silence it.