the world of sound

Even in the 19th century, people were alarmed by the ever growing presence and volume of music. This, before everyone had little white earbuds grafted onto their heads. Grandville (1803-1847): "An accident at the concert: an ophicleide bursts from too much harmony, peppering the listeners' ears with notes." (The ophicleide was the largest member of the keyed bugle family- now replaced by tubas.) Grandville also did a series of engravings of steam powered music and musicians. The fears of current performing musicians that they will be made obsolete by technology has historical precedence.