Flamenco and Chinese flutes, the violin and the erhu, the cello and the guzheng. The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and the Madrid Philharmonic brought Spanish and Chinese artists together on the same stage on Sunday evening in Madrid, creating brand new celebratory sounds for a new lunar year.

Spain's National Concert Hall came alive to the classic 'Overture to the Spring Festival,' opening a fascinating fusion of cultures to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

"In China you will always hear this song when you go to traditional Lunar New Year festivals," the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra Conductor Peng Fei told CGTN. 

"It reminds us that spring is here, it's a song of hope and new beginnings, renewal and vibrancy."

There was time too, for a little Spanish salsa, as the Curro de Candela Flamenco Dance Company performers danced to the combined sounds of a Spanish flamenco guitar and a Chinese Pipa.

"The Chinese musician who works with us, he's done his own version of how he understands flamenco," dancer Maria Jose Arpio said, "so we're doing a little bit of a fusion between perhaps tangos and rumbas. It's just amazing to see how music can unify so many countries."

Chinese flautist Zhao Yunmeng saw flamenco live in person for the first time this week.

"The dresses, the body language, the flicks and kicks and stamps, I love the Spanish power of expression."

Organized by the Chinese tourism ministry, Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Cultural Center in Madrid, five Spanish cities were treated to this fiesta of sound and colour, successfully kicking off the  "Happy Spring Festival" tour in Seville with a performance of 'The Colours of China.'

Bright vibrant colours and a stunning array of traditional Chinese instruments had Spanish audiences enthralled across the country. 

Shanghai Chinese Orchestra percussionist Wang Yingrui was feeling the love:

"I believe this is a beautiful blend of the international languages of colour, music and customs all perfectly intertwined. The response, the reception, the loud applause, the 'bravos,' that we've heard here have been incredible, some of my happiest moments on stage as a performer."

Old traditions and new creations to celebrate the Spring Festival.