A lighter, more playful tone followed with Celebration of the Lantern Festival, adapted by guzheng virtuoso Wang Zhongshan. The piece draws audiences into a festive soundscape, full of color and movement. Meanwhile, Uproar in Heaven placed the spotlight on the percussion section, featuring the bold, dramatic sounds of Peking Opera gongs and drums.

For the inaugural season, concerts will also be staged during traditional Chinese festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year's concert series, reinforcing the connection between music and cultural life.

Chen Xieyang, the 87-year-old conductor who led the opening performances, emphasizes that the orchestra has long been committed to preserving the authentic sound of traditional instruments while also exploring new artistic possibilities.

He recalls the landmark concert by the China National Traditional Orchestra, also conducted by Chen, in Vienna in 1998. It was the first time the orchestra performed at the iconic Musikverein, and was a glorious and defining moment in its history.

At the time, Tang, then in his late 20s, had just become the orchestra's youngest principal erhu player.

"We were so proud and excited about the concert. What makes me even more proud and excited today is that more people at home, especially young audiences, are recognizing and enjoying Chinese music," says Chen.

Besides reviving classics, the new season places strong emphasis on contemporary composition. Composer Zhang Zhao's He Wan Xiang, or "harmony with the myriad phenomena", explores themes of unity, capturing the harmonious spirit of the times, while resident composers Zhao Zeming and Li Shangqian will present Toward the Light, a tribute to the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army's Long March, using music to convey the enduring spirit of the historic journey.