Why would the hostess be humiliated? You waited until her choice of music was over, you requested permission to select another piece, and I would assume there was no objection to your choice....

The fact that the other guest said "what music" goes to show that it was not a problem for him, however a host/ess should certainly be aware that selection of background music can be a serious problem for guests. I have been told that background music should barely be perceptible....as it should NOT intrude. If the music intrudes, it is no longer "background" and defeats the purpose of having it.