The New York Philharmonic rings in the Year of the Sheep with its fourth annual Chinese New Year concert in the Avery Fisher Hall of the Lincoln Center in New York, Feb 24. [Photo/Xinhua]

The music swells and subsides in the Avery Fisher Hall of the Lincoln Center, New York. The harmonious blend of cello and sheng, a traditional Chinese reed instrument made of bamboo, creates a magic, seamless sound that takes breath away of the audience.

On Tuesday, the New York Philharmonic rang in the Year of the Sheep with its fourth annual Chinese New Year concert.

Defying the frigid weather, an enormous crowd of revelers, some dressed in traditional Chinese costumes, swarmed into the renowned Avery Fisher Hall to enjoy the first-rate performance.

The interior of the hall was lit red and Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling of the building's facades, adding to a touch of the festive atmosphere.

"The Spring Festival Overture," Li Huanzhi's traditional work celebrating the Chinese New Year, once again opened the concert, yet still offering a fresh feeling to the audience.

The event also featured the aijieke, a traditional Chinese bowed instrument, played by Gulinaer Yiming, and traditional Chinese folk songs performed by vocalist Lei Jia.

The concert culminated in the duo of cellist Yo-Yo Ma and sheng player Wu Tong.