For over half a century, the Philadelphia Orchestra has served as a remarkable cultural ambassador between the United States and China, weaving a tapestry of cross-cultural friendship through the universal language of music. This enduring relationship reached another celebratory milestone as the orchestra partnered with China’s National Tourist Office in New York to present a special Lunar New Year concert alongside tourism promotions, transforming Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts into a vibrant celebration of Chinese culture.
The event coincided with an evocative photographic exhibition titled ‘On the Road in China — China and the Philadelphia Orchestra,’ featuring archival images documenting the orchestra’s historic tours across China. These visual narratives captured both memorable performances and intimate glimpses of Chinese cities, cultural landscapes, and daily life, tracing a journey that began in 1973 when the ensemble became the first American orchestra to perform in China.
Audience member Eddie McKeown, a regular concertgoer, expressed his appreciation for the festive atmosphere, noting: ‘I showed up in a little bit of red myself. It’s always wonderful to see the hall decorated, and I feel like it adds to the festive nature of the concert.’
The orchestra’s veteran violinist Davyd Booth, who has traveled to China approximately fifteen times since the inaugural visit, emphasized the growing importance of cultural exchange. ‘The world has gotten smaller and closer,’ Booth reflected, ‘and yet the tangibles of music and making sound have gotten even larger because of being able to share so much.’ He described feeling ‘fortunate’ to have witnessed China’s remarkable development and changes firsthand while performing across numerous Chinese cities.
This ongoing musical diplomacy continues to strengthen people-to-people connections, with plans already underway for the orchestra’s next visit to China in November, further solidifying a friendship that has flourished through decades of artistic exchange and mutual appreciation.