The National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing hosted a special concert on Friday, with 14 musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra performing alongside the China National Symphony Orchestra to commemorate the historic visit of the Philadelphia Orchestra to China in 1973. Before the final afternoon rehearsal, the two orchestras participated in a gift exchange ceremony to celebrate their 50-year friendship. During this ceremony, the China National Symphony Orchestra presented the Philadelphia Orchestra with a rare limited edition vinyl record of the Yellow River Piano Concerto. "Music has the ability to communicate while words alone cannot. We perform side by side with other Chinese artists, and we also give lectures to Chinese artists. All of that together makes our relationship with China so special," said Ryan Fleur, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, in an interview with the Global Times on Friday, ahead of the performance.