Japan's top orchestra, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, gave a performance just outside Washington D.C. last night that honoured the people of Japan, National Public Radio reports.
Conductor Andre Previn added Bach's Air on the G String at the last minute, in what he described as a tribute to the Japanese people.
Ninety-three musicians of the orchestra boarded a plane in Tokyo less than 24 hours after the earthquake in Japan.
The orchestra's Chairman, Naoki Nojima, told the audience the musicians had struggled with the decision of whether to cancel the tour or not.
"Most of us have had to leave our families behind. And two of our original members are not here today because their homes were destroyed.
Still, we decided to forge ahead and come to America, because we believe music can uplift the heart and strengthen the spirit.
"So as we perform for you tonight, we are performing for ourselves as well and for our loved ones back home."
The orchestra, which is financially sponsored by public broadcaster NHK, performs at Carnegie Hall in New York on Monday night before returning to Japan.
(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)
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