I have been revisiting 'Elevator Music: A Surreal History of Muzak, Easy-Listening and Other Mood Song' by Joseph Lanza, published by quartet books in 1995 - two years before I started my music degree at City University, London. This book introduced me to Brian Eno's sound installations, and compositions including 'Music for Airports' and 'Neroli.' If you are interested in the design and application of music and sound-worlds outside of the commercial world of music industry promotion that, in the west, we are all accustomed to, then it's well worth a read.

Today's developments, where music streaming services have various 'mood' functions, and companies are developing machine learning algorithms to match music to biophysiological data in order to maintain or adjust mood and arousal, are certainly more bespoke to individual needs. But Lanza reports the entire history of easy-listening, with 'Lite FM,' 'Beautiful Music,' 'Mood Music,' all being broadcast on FM radio, generating huge profits and stimulating listeners across the US. Some complained about the instrumental versions of popular tunes that were specially recorded for broadcast, in extreme cases claiming that they contained subliminal messages, or caused them to wallow in memories of failed relationships. One listener - described as 'horny' - claimed that a song played on the station pushed her 'hot button!' and this led to an unsuccessful lawsuit by the complainant against the broadcaster.

Each chapter in the book covers various periods of discovery and development that resulted in new music and ways in which it was used - 'Violins from Space' describes 'synthesized brainscapes' and 'Space Music' that could realign the spine, strengthen the immune system and teach Ukrainian students to speak and read English. The beginning goes back to Greek mythology - the singing sirens and Aeolian harp, leading to the term 'Aeolian Mood.' George Philipp Telemann's challenge to sacred and secular barriers with 'Musique de Table' is mentioned, with the use of simpler melodic lines designed as light, background music. Mozart was commissioned to compose music that would not disturb conversations or digestion. Johann Sebastian Bach  was called upon by Count Kaiserling in Dresden to teach his apprentice some clavier pieces that might help with his insomnia. The name of this person was Goldberg - hence, The Goldberg Variations. Personally, I have used both Music for Airports and The Goldberg Variations to help me sleep from time to time over the years.

According to current academic publications and developments within the music industry and health and wellbeing, there is quite a scramble to launch new devices that will deliver the right music for the job at the times when needed. Artificial intelligence is everywhere and, I have observed, various music organisations, including orchestras, are embarking on projects in the community and hospitals to improve mood, wellbeing, etc, to just about every patient population there is. It's not Muzak - or is it? What has changed since all that Joseph Lanza draws our attention to? As my sitar teacher at City once quoted: "In order for things to change, things must stay the same."