This is how uber-composer Richard Strauss once described his inspiration behind Also Sprach Zara- thustra: "I wished to convey by means of music an idea of the development of the human race from its origin, through the various phases of its development, religious and scientific, up to Niet-zsche's idea of the superman".

And for those unfamiliar or uncomfortable - with such high-sounding motives, let me clarify the situation a little: Also Sprach was also the theme to Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi milestone "2001: A Space Odyssey" and as such, the music most associated with Man's first steps on the Moon.

In short then, a seminal classic, embedded in the collective consciousness of people with TVs, videos or DVDs. Which is why its presence at the Wiltshire Business Awards last Friday night was inspired.

As usual of course, the awards ceremony itself was a grand affair; an ideal opportunity to meet and creep, compare war stories on employee dismissals and eye up the arm candy (and there was plenty of that).

Indeed, a swell affair as Frank Sinatra might have called it. However, as with all awards dos, a memorable feature of the evening was the music chosen to accompany each award winner. And on this particular evening, revellers were treated to a rare display of inspired musical casting.

I certainly recognised the theme from "The Terminator", though I can't quite recall the award (doubtless, it most suited "Best Business for Outstanding Service to the Community").

However, I'll never be able to erase from my memory the playing of Also Sprach during the presentation of the night's premier accolade the award for Outstanding Excellence to the Dyson company.

Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem pairing Strauss's epic musical vision with vacuum cleaners and washing machines.

But what did prove wonderfully disconcerting was the length of time between the winner being named, walking up to the podium and being presented with their trophy.

Clearly, someone, somewhere had decided the emotion of this moment could be matched only by at least 60 seconds of Strauss's masterwork. Except 60 seconds is one hell of a long time. And so audience, winner and sponsor, all struck by the profundity of the moment, stood and stood and stood.

Fair to say, I had to exit the function suite of the Blunsdon Hotel pretty promptly or I would have hyper-ventilated.

An agonisingly uncomfortable moment that even now evokes a knee-jerk wince, I will always treasure this memory.