Pianist's performance is next step to better U.S.-China relations.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

BEIJING _ A Philadelphia Orchestra concert at the Great Hall of the People proved that China and the United States can make beautiful music together, even if China's top leader does not want to hear it.

The Friday night concert, featuring up-and-coming Chinese pianist Lang Lang, 18, in his first homeland concert in four years, promoted as an effort to build friendship between the American and Chinese people.

Lang Lang, largely unknown until a year ago, has come far and fast: This spring he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York and released his first recording. He has been studying at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia since he was 14.

"Gosh, this is really something _ to play at the Great Hall of the People," Lang Lang said in an interview. "For me, what a privilege. What an honor."

Missing from the enthusiastic audience was President Jiang Zemin, a music buff. Jiang boycotted the event to protest the U.S. government's recent decision to grant a transit visa to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, according to a person close to the orchestra.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and strenuously opposes any official recognition of its government or any visits by its officials to other countries.

(EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM)