I was fascinated by the TV relay of Martha Argerich playing Beethoven’s 2nd piano concerto at the Proms with the Munich Philharmonic under conductor Lahav Shani.

It had been well publicised that Martha Argerich is now 85. Many, perhaps most musicians have retired long before that age, of course. Those who do persevere into their 80s or more are often pianists. (I’m sure there is a study waiting to be done on the longevity of pianists.)

Watching Argerich make her way on to the platform with a certain stately caution, I wondered what was to come. But when she started to play, her well-known precision and fast reflexes were immediately apparent.  Her touch is beautiful, her shaping of phrases gorgeous. Her fast passage-work was light, crisp and seemingly effortless; every note was sharply sculpted. From time to time she cast a wry glance towards the conductor to make sure he was listening. Her concentration at the piano seemed as keenly focused as ever.

Watching her hands move about the keyboard, I had a similar feeling to when I watch Yuja Wang at the piano – as though she has an unusually clear mental map of the keyboard linked to an unusual control of finger muscles which enables her to move unerringly about the keys without the slightest doubt about where her fingers are going to land. Many pianists develop this ability to a high degree, of course, but still – doubts creep in, balance may falter, memory may play tricks, and little slips can occur. Watching someone who seems to have no misgivings, one wonders whether the paramount skill is mental or physical – or perhaps a glorious fusion of the two.

In any case, it was a most heartening spectacle and an inspiration to those of us who hope to keep playing for as long as possible!