The China Philharmonic Orchestra will give 25 concerts in the US, Canada, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Britain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands from February 23 to April 8.

Yu Dong, the orchestra's art director, said that the programs will include some Chinese compositions, including the violin concerto, The Butterfly Lovers, and Moon Reflected on Er Quan Pond.

Western classics on the program include Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninov and Dvorak's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor.

The orchestra will invite several eminent artists to appear as guests during its 44-day tour, including pianist Lang Lang, cellist Wang Jian, violinist Augustin Dumay and soprano Ke Luwa.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2005)