Classical Music Brings the Noise -- Too Much, In Fact

Bow down, rock, metal and punk. Old-school classical music is murder on the eardrums, too, and orchestra players are turning to custom-made earplugs usually reserved for rockers.

Symphonies in Europe are dropping pieces or turning to machines for help in order to conform to new regulations designed to lessen noise in the workplace. Musicians and conductors are sparring over whether to soften or forgo Mahler (pictured right), wear earplugs, sit behind noise screens, redefine fortissimo and more in order to adapt their performances to a kindler, gentler, quieter generation. And so far it's resulted in anything but harmony. From The New York Times:

Rock musicians have talked openly about loud music and ear protection for years. The issue is more delicate for classical musicians, who have been reluctant to accept that their profession can lead to hearing loss, even though studies have shown that to be the case.... They are also buying a lot of high-tech earplugs, which are molded to players' ears and cost about $300 a pair. Many orchestras now ask their musicians to put the earplugs in during the loud parts of a performance.

"I have a computer program that gives me a minute-by-minute timeline chart through the whole piece," said Mr. Turbett of the English National Opera. "I can go back to the musicians and say, 'Between bar 100 and bar 200, there’s a very loud passage, so please put in hearing protection.'"

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• Can You Turn That Down, Please?