Just over a decade ago a canny entrepreneur hit upon the idea of joining pairs of brothers. The Tawadros brothers (Joseph on oud and James on percussion) were paired with the Grigoryan duo-guitarists, Slava and Leonard. So was born “The Band of Brothers”.  Now, there is another pair of brothers to add to that band.

Ziggy and Miles Johnston are Melbourne lads, 26 and 24 years old, and already at the outset of a stellar career as duo-guitarists. Presently based in New York, they have returned briefly to their hometown where they gave a single hour-long and sold-out performance in the Primrose Potter Salon of the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Miles and Ziggy Johnston. Photo supplied

The brothers have recently completed Masters degrees at the Juilliard School, studying with Sharon Isbin, widely regarded as the pre-eminent guitarist-teacher in North America today.

A confession. Due to a scheduling mix-up, I had to experience the first half of the concert in the foyer. But I was able to see and hear the two pieces on the monitor screen: Rodrigo’s three-movement Tonadilla (1911) and the eight short movements, which make up the Valses Poéticos (1886-1894)...