The New York Philharmonic's musical director Lorin Maazel boards a limousine shortly after arriving at Pyongyang airport. [Photo: AFP]

Related: U.S. Downplays Impact of New York Philharmonic Concert in DPRK

               New York Philharmonic Hits Beijing

An audience in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday watched an unprecedented orchestra performance from the United States at the capital's East Pyongyang Grand Theater.

The concert by the New York Philharmonic is widely seen as the first cultural exchange event in decades aimed at building mutual trust and understanding between the DPRK and the United States.

The orchestra's 106 artists staged an impressive performance for the 1,500-strong audience, playing such classical pieces as "Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin," "Symphony No. 9, From the New World" and "An American in Paris."

At a press conference before the concert, conductor Lorin Maazel said the performance is a small step forward for cultural exchanges between the DPRK and the United States.

"We come here for music," he said, hoping to extend the exchanges beyond music.

The New York Philharmonic arrived in Pyongyang Monday for a three-day visit.