"Like many orchestras around the world we did give a lot of online performances, but you can't compare that to the joy of live concerts," says Yu Long, the orchestra's founder, artistic director and chief conductor.

"For both the musicians and audiences, playing and watching a live concert inside a concert hall are about sharing, meeting and connecting with one another. It's exciting and spontaneous, and it's entertaining and interactive."

Now, as performing arts venues reopen after months bathed in silence, the China Philharmonic Orchestra is back with live concerts, and it will get the chance belatedly to celebrate its big day.

On Aug 24 Yu appeared in the rehearsal room of the orchestra in downtown Beijing and set out the orchestra's modified program for 2020-21. Taking into account live concerts canceled because of COVID-19, 16 live concerts by the full-size orchestra and five chamber music concerts, all to be held in Beijing, were on the program.

Under Yu's baton, the orchestra finally opened its 2020-21 season at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on Sept 11, featuring the violinist Ning Feng. Works by Beethoven, including Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 61 and Symphony No 6 In F Major, Op 68 ("Pastorale"), were performed.

Next Saturday, Sept 26, a concert will be held at Poly Theater celebrating the 71st anniversary of the founding of New China. Under the baton of Shi Shucheng, the orchestra will perform Chinese pieces including Festival Overture by Shi Wanchun, written from 1960 to 1976, and The White-haired Girl Symphonic Suite, adapted from the Chinese opera The White-Haired Girl, which debuted in 1945 in Yan'an, Shaanxi province. Bedrich Smetana's Vltava and From Bohemia's Woods and Fields, both from the composer's (My Country) will also be played.