[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Both of them conducted our orchestra and highly appreciated its sound. Richard Strauss especially remained a close musical associate and friend of the Vienna Philharmonic throughout most of his career," Froschauer says in Beijing ahead of the orchestra's China tour.

"Playing for audiences in China is always a treat, because you can tell from their reaction and their attention－h(huán)ow eager they are to know and learn about our music."

This year marks 175 years since the orchestra was founded as was the New York Philharmonic.

And, a joint exhibition, centered around the history of both orchestras, showing photographs and documents from different periods from 1842 until now, is now being held in New York and will travel to Vienna in March.