Dave Lampson replied to me: >>Most sources agree that a commission as impetus for this work is spurious. >>Further, most agree that the copy of the manuscript was given to Goldberg >>so that he could play them on nights when Count Keyserlingk could not get >>to sleep. In other words, they weren't meant to put him to sleep, but >>rather to aid in passing the time while he was suffering from insomnia. >>By all accounts, Keyserlingk was pleased with the gift. > >Reading this passage seems to reinforce the "sleep aid" label historically >associated with the work. [Then, Wes, I suggest there might be a >significant problem with reading comprehension at work here. -Dave] >I think that aiding in the passage of time while someone is suffering >from insomnia is very close to the same as putting someone out. I just wanted to clear something up here if I may. It is not my belief that chemical responses in the body actually put a person in an unconscious state when listening to music. So, Dave, I do not believe that the Goldberg's were used in the same way a drug might physically knock someone out. However, I do feel that music can create an atmosphere which more quickly allows a person to relax. In my other post I described how music can focus our mind on the sweet sounds we enjoy and let those bothersome noises and thoughts disappear. When I think of a lullaby I don't picture a person being knocked unconscious by the sounds they hear. I think of a person feeling more relaxed and calm until they slowly drift off. If the music stops playing they might not return to unrest. Take a strong drug and it doesn't really matter, you're gone. I believe that music can act as a sleep aid by the way it makes us think or feel and definitely can contribute to ease of rest and, ultimately, sleep. This is my opinion and I haven't conducted any extended experiments or surveys to see if anyone else agrees. I didn't have any trouble understanding what you posted and I am not sure exactly why you suggested so. I made a statement and then tried to explain where I was coming from. In my experience, listening to music to "pass the time" accomplishes more than it suggests. It also decreases the time in which I have to struggle to fade out. I wouldn't be surprised if the Count fell asleep much more quickly while listening to music than he did without it. Wes Crone (Forget Bach 2000...I'm now accepting donations for Hooked on Phonics)