IN a world of increasing madness, political and otherwise, sometimes the only thing to do is to fall back on a few old certainties.

Like the many healing properties of music and the ability of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to deliver a couple of hours of much-needed escape from all the lunacy.

From a personal perspective, Wednesday night at the Lighthouse was precisely that head holiday.

The Fateful Fourth comprised Mozart's Symphony No. 26 and his Piano Concerto No 21 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony Number 4.

The latter was written after he left his native city for the imperial capital Vienna, embarking on one of the musically prolific periods of his life.

It appealed to his new Viennese audience and is typically witty, spirited and jovial.

Very Mozart. Very Vienna. Soloist Richard Brautigam was a delight and with shock of white hair, had more than a little of rock star quality about him.

The second half was all Tchaikovsky and his tour de force Fourth, by turns soaring with elation then plunging to the depths.

This was the BSO at its most electrifying, led by their amazing young conductor, Marta Gardolinska, confident, commanding and in total control.

While most conductors bounce, she fairly dances on the podium.

As wow finishes go, this was right up there as everyone in the hall knew.

Sanity restored. For now.