A symphony of celebration

"It's a lovely morning and here we are playing music in this beautiful park. The music flows naturally and the crowds are enjoying it," says Pfistermuller.

The Wiener Symphoniker, one of the world's most prestigious orchestras and celebrating its 125th anniversary, made its Beijing Performing Arts Center debut on Saturday, and performed again on Monday. The two concerts kicked off its nine-day music and cultural exchange tour in Beijing, which includes three performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts concert hall from Wednesday to Friday.

Under the baton of newly appointed chief conductor Petr Popelka, the orchestra brings the sounds of Vienna to Beijing, intertwining tradition with romantic flair in a concert that fuses East and West, past and present.