There were certainly miracles in Berlin this morning but there were also wonders in St John’s Smith Square tonight.

Martha Argerich with Daniel Barenboim reminded me of Klemperer with Janet Baker for the simple magnificence of musicians for which music is life and life is music and of course the Berlin Philharmonic ready to watch for the slightest movement from such legendary musicians that could open a gate that only these great friends from childhood have the key to.

Tonight in London an orchestra created by twenty one year old Stone Tung with an ensemble formed of young musicians who played their hearts out with mastery and sumptuous beauty in a performance of Ein Heldenleben that would have put most other orchestras to shame for it’s total commitment and passionate participation .

A conductor with a fluidity of movement who could hold this masterpiece together in one architectural whole. Of course the violin of Elif Cansever and the horn of Henry Ward were true stars as were the sumptuous cellos and ravishing violins.

A breathtaking performance that had followed a very touching work by Anna Clyde dedicated to her mother :’Within Her Arms’ for reduced forces respectfully standing for a deeply moving acceptance of death and the renewal through transformation into flowers.

And flowers there were indeed for the superb viola of Jaren Ziegler in a magnificent performance of Walton’s complex viola concerto.Written for Lionel Tertis but after his refusal to play it, Hindemith stepped in having appreciated the intricate mastery of another composer’s score .
Jaren amazingly a ‘fresher’ at the Royal Academy is a star to watch after a masterly performance of such remarkable musicianship that could show us the way through this maze of knotty twine.