The study by scientists at the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg suggests that concerts by the Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney and others in the adjacent Winter Square may have shaved years off the life of priceless works of art housed there.
The museum's director Mikhail Piotrovsky says it is likely that buildings, books and statues have also been damaged by the concerts, warning that similar institutions across the world should take note.
Preliminary results of the three-year study, being examined by the Grabar Art Restoration Institute in Moscow, show that every 10 concerts above 82 decibels add an extra year to the age of a work.
Kenwood and Somerset House in London, and Knebworth in Hertfordshire, all of which hold valuable art collections, regularly host outdoor gigs.
Mr Piotrovsky said that the Russian study had serious implications for other buildings.
"Early results say the level of sound in the rooms which overlook the Square cannot be more than 80/82 decibels. We are going to study this. I think it is a serious issue, not just for Russia," he said.
In 2004, he said vibrations from a concert by Sir Paul McCartney had set off alarms and cracked windows in the museum.
The Hermitage occupies six magnificent buildings along the River Neva in the heart of St Petersburg. It houses three million works of art and is considered one of the world's finest museums.
Conservation groups in Britain have raised similar concerns, and last year Historic Royal Palaces, which works to conserve many of Britain's historical buildings, said Hampton Court was at risk from a three-week music festival held there every June.
The group blamed low bass frequencies, produced during rock and pop concerts for damage to windows, mirrors and objects mounted on the walls of the 14th-century palace in south west London.
The museum's director Mikhail Piotrovsky says it is likely that buildings, books and statues have also been damaged by the concerts, warning that similar institutions across the world should take note.
Preliminary results of the three-year study, being examined by the Grabar Art Restoration Institute in Moscow, show that every 10 concerts above 82 decibels add an extra year to the age of a work.
Kenwood and Somerset House in London, and Knebworth in Hertfordshire, all of which hold valuable art collections, regularly host outdoor gigs.
Mr Piotrovsky said that the Russian study had serious implications for other buildings.
"Early results say the level of sound in the rooms which overlook the Square cannot be more than 80/82 decibels. We are going to study this. I think it is a serious issue, not just for Russia," he said.
In 2004, he said vibrations from a concert by Sir Paul McCartney had set off alarms and cracked windows in the museum.
The Hermitage occupies six magnificent buildings along the River Neva in the heart of St Petersburg. It houses three million works of art and is considered one of the world's finest museums.
Conservation groups in Britain have raised similar concerns, and last year Historic Royal Palaces, which works to conserve many of Britain's historical buildings, said Hampton Court was at risk from a three-week music festival held there every June.
The group blamed low bass frequencies, produced during rock and pop concerts for damage to windows, mirrors and objects mounted on the walls of the 14th-century palace in south west London.
By Laura Clout
Published: 23 Jun 2008
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2010
Published: 23 Jun 2008
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2010
