Fans of classical music in Beijing got a chance over the weekend to enjoy some world-class performances. Two concerts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) were staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts as part of their new Asia tour.

Led by music director Riccardo Muti, the orchestra brought a diverse set of works, including symphonies of Brahms and Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral showpiece Sheherazade.

It's the fourth time for the CSO to perform in Beijing since its debut in the Chinese capital in 2009.

The orchestra's President Jeff Alexandar said he can feel the growing enthusiasm of Chinese audiences.

Among the CSO's 100 plus artists, 13 are Chinese. Some of them have played a pillar role in the group.

Violinist Yu Yangqing is from Shanghai. She is also the assistant concertmaster at the CSO. She attributes the emerging popularity of Chinese artists in the U.S. largely to the strict music education they received at home.

The orchestra's 2019 Asia Tour include performances in five cities – Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, and Osaka.

Music is the most beautiful language shared by all. With the participation of performers of different races, the orchestra can play chords of greater charm. No walls could ever be built to separate those who love music.

(Head Image: Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs at the National Center for the Performing Arts. /CSO Photo)