The sound of symphony music is becoming synonymous with the new year for many in China's major cities.

Even before the Beijing Symphony Orchestra gave its first New Year's Concert 11 years ago, classical music fans treated themselves with a New Year's TV broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra playing in the prestigious Musikverein Hall.

Now music is ringing in the New Year and attendees are not just the regular concert-goers. The trend has become widely popular in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

In Beijing, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and the China Philharmonic Orchestra continue their contributions.

Marking a fresh year, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has performed at the Poly Theatre every January 1 since 2001.

Every New Year's Eve, sweet notes ring at the Great Hall of the People, thanks to the Beijing Symphony Orchestra.

Tan Lihua, artistic director of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, says he still remembers how nervous he felt standing behind the side curtain, waiting to go on stage for the first time at the venue.

"The stage of the Great Hall of the People was just too vast for a concert and I was not sure whether we could move the 10,000-person audience.

"But it turned out to be a big success," he recalled.

That year the orchestra, following in the steps of the Vienna Philharmonic's dedication to the Strauss family and the waltz, played the Overture of Die Fledermaus, The Blue Danube and many other works of Strauss. The concert won long ovations from the audience.

Over the years, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra has developed its own style for the New Year's concert.

Now, Tan says, it creates an "international standard, Beijing flavor and holiday air."

"We work harder to attract the fans into the hall every year and to establish some unique features of our own, rather than simply copying Vienna's New Year's Concert," said Tan.

(China Daily December 26, 2005)