Pianist Faces Jail Over Incessant Practicing

Neighbor says it caused psychological damage
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 12, 2013 9:48 AM CST
Pianist Faces Jail Over Incessant Practicing
The prized Steinway grand piano appears in Studio A, Monday, April 1, 2013.   (AP Photo/The Detroit News, Max Ortiz)

Spanish prosecutors want to send a young pianist to jail for more than seven years after a neighbor accused her of causing psychological damage and noise pollution. The plaintiff—identified only as Sonia B.—claims she suffered from noise contamination between 2003 and 2007 owing to the five-days-a-week, eight-hour practice sessions by Laia Martin, who lived below her in the northeastern town of Puigcerda. Martin, 27, now a professional concert pianist, denies that she played at home that often, saying she took regular classes in other towns.

El Pais newspaper reports Sonia B. told the court yesterday she now hated pianos and eventually moved from the house after suffering from what Sky News reports were sleep issues, nervousness, anxiety, and panic attacks. A Catalonia Justice Tribunal spokeswoman says the trial continued today and ends Friday. (More strange stuff stories.)

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