No Ferrero Rochers

Prior to their 4-concert tour of Mexico this coming week, we held a reception for the London Philharmonic Orchestra this evening at the Ambassador's residence. I am aware that this is an ex-pat diplomatic cliché, but there you go. As part of the evening, star violinist Jennifer Pike played some short pieces by Fritz Kreisler, Jules Massenet and Edward Elgar. It was amazing. Pike's been wowing audiences and critics since 2002 when, aged 12, she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year, and at 15 debuted at the Proms. She plays a 1708 Matteo Goffriller violin on loan from the Stradivari Trust. I didn't offer to hold it while canapés were served.