A symphony of celebration

The orchestra also delved into Mozart's Symphony No 38 in D Major, Prague, a work that holds special significance for conductor Popelka who was born in Prague and trained as a double-bass player, deeply connecting him to the Czech Republic's rich musical traditions.

Making his debut in China with this ongoing tour, he expresses his pride in presenting this piece: "It is indelibly linked to the city of Prague and Mozart's relationship with the Czech people."

The conductor recalls that, even as a teenager, he regularly drove from Prague to Vienna with his parents to listen to the greatest orchestras in the world.

"To me, the Wiener Symphoniker is the musical embodiment of Vienna, an orchestra that captures and evokes the city's spirit, an ensemble with a great tradition but, above all, an orchestra that has always encapsulated a modern, pioneering spirit," he says.

"For musicians who perform every night, it is dangerous for music to become routine or a 'duty'. Some conductors may not emphasize the significance of performing certain pieces at specific venues. I expect to gain inspiration and embrace a variety of ideas," he says. "This is why I took this job. In working with the Wiener Symphoniker, I feel a sense of curiosity within the orchestra, and the joy of music 'being born' together."

Popelka, along with principal artists of the string and brass sections, also visited the China Conservatory of Music on Monday, where they held two master classes. In the evening, the conductor led the student symphony orchestra in a rehearsal of Pictures at an Exhibition, a famous suite of musical compositions by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky.