Music connect hearts

Durden said musical cooperation is a means to enhance intercultural exchange, and cooperation with Chinese musicians in Beijing will not be a one-off, adding he is expecting more in the future.

"There are many things in common between traditional musics almost everywhere in the world. When you listen to traditional Chinese music and Latin American music, it's not hard to find them familiar," said Durden. "We want to find common ground...We will try to make this happen again in Ecuador, such as performing traditional Chinese music with arrangements that sound Ecuadorian [next time]."

For cellist Zhang Bo, who worked at the China Philharmonic Orchestra and is now a teacher with Minzu University of China, the collaboration was a great opportunity for musicians of the two countries to get to know more about the other's music and culture.

"It's my first time playing Ecuadorian music. During my four and a half years studying in Texas in the United States, I was exposed to a lot of Latin American music. Compared to other Latin American countries, I think Ecuadorian music is more restrained, but also very strong emotionally," Zhang said.

"I can feel the common ground while playing (Ecuadorian music). Chinese culture is known for its warm-heartedness and hospitality, and Ecuadorian music is restrained yet affectionate as well," he said.