NEW YORK—Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments with classical Western instruments was an uplifting experience for French conductor Daniel Barda who is currently visiting New York City.

“I don’t come very often to New York, but I had a very good time, and especially tonight, especially tonight. Very, very good night,” he said after attending the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s evening performance at the Carnegie Hall on Saturday evening.

“Compared to other orchestras I have been listening to, I think this is a very, very good level. Very good level. The strings are playing very well, all the winds are excellent.”

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra this year began its tour in Asia in mid-September, and started the North American leg of its journey with two performances in New York City on Saturday.

The symphony orchestra’s performances include all-original compositions that draw upon five millennia of culture and legends from the Chinese culture, as well as works by great masters of classical Western music.

“It’s a kind of mix, of course, which is impressive because precisely the mix between traditional music from China, traditional sound, and the classical [Western] sound, which makes it rather easy to listen to. And that’s why I feel happy, because it’s very interesting,” Mr. Barda said.

As a veteran conductor and performer himself, Mr. Barda could tell how much hard work goes into creating a superb performance like the one he witnessed that night, and had high praise for the conductor.

“The conductor is excellent, excellent,” Mr. Barda said. “I think he’s doing very well, because the orchestra is very attentive and very disciplined, and it’s very, very, very good job, very good job.” This, of course, is the result of hours and hours of preparation and work with the musicians, he added.

“Really enjoyed the orchestra, and the choice of the repertoire, which was really, really good, especially the Chinese repertoire, which was something to discover.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Omid Ghoreishi

New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra comprises musicians from the four Shen Yun Performing Arts touring companies. For information about the October performances, visit: ShenYun.com/Symphony

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the company’s inception in 2006.