Three decades have passed since the Philadelphia Orchestra's historic Beijing tour, and now the orchestra is back to the same venue with the same repertoire, collaborating with a new Chinese performer.

Music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach (L) shares a smile with pianist Lang Lang at a press conference in Beijing on Sunday, June 1, 2008. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn)

Young pianist Lang Lang headlined the opening show of the Philadelphia Orchestra's 2008 China tour Monday at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, where in 1973 the orchestra teamed up with pianist Yin Chengzong to become the first visiting American orchestra to China.

Christoph Eschenbach, Lang Lang's mentor and the orchestra's music director, indulged the audience in memory flashbacks as he conducted the Chinese concerto "Yellow River," and Beethoven's "Overture to Egmont" and "Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)."

Nostalgia was also shared by some of the orchestra members from the 1973 tour. An unnamed cellist told the Beijing Evening News before the show that he was even more excited than in 1973 to play in Beijing 35 years later.

The orchestra's latest China tour includes another Beijing concert Tuesday at the Poly Theater and two concerts this weekend at Shanghai's Oriental Arts Center.

The orchestra will also donate part of the proceeds to victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

(CRI June 3, 2008)