The New York Philharmonic left here Wednesday for Seoul after an unprecedented orchestra performance on Tuesday night in the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK).

The local media praised the New York Philharmonic for showing exquisite and refined execution under Chief Conductor Lorin Maazel.

The concert was widely seen as the first cultural exchange event aimed at building mutual trust and understanding between the DPRK and the United States.

Maazel said after the performance that "there may be a mission accomplished here, we may have been instrumental in opening a little door here."

However, Washington downplayed impact of the concert, saying it was simply "a concert."

The New York Philharmonic, founded in 1842, is the oldest and most world-renowned orchestra in the United States. It arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a three-day visit, the first in its history.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2008)