Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Lyu Siqing concert in Beijing

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concluded its China tour in Beijing last Thursday. It teamed up with a renowned Chinese violinist, giving music fans a night to remember.

Founded in 1906, the MSO is the oldest and the most renowned professional orchestra in Australia and the southern hemisphere. Under the baton of world-famous British conductor Sir Andrew Davis, the band treated the audience with Carl Vine's Five, a tune composed by a native Australian musician, Bruch's No. 1 Violin Concerto, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, the Pathetique.

Sir Andrew Davis was appointed the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for his illustrious conductorship. He has conducted so many distinguished concerts including the one celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee. And Paganini Violin Competition's first place winner Lyu Siqing is also an endeared artist among classical music fans. So their teaming up on stage is a rare treat for audiences here in Beijing.

It's the band's first major China tour in sixteen years, as they toured six cities in ten days.

Performing alongside the orchestra was Lyu Siqing, the first Asian violinist to win the first place at the prestigious Paganini Violin Competition in 1987. He is now one of the most renowned violinists on the world stage right now. Lyu is only one of eight Chinese artists that the orchestra plans to collaborate this year. He says the orchestra has a deep connection with Chinese artists.