The music director of the New York Philharmonic says he hopes the Korean Peninsula will see eased tensions and lasting reconciliation.

Lorin Maazel made the statement in an article contributed to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday as the oldest American orchestra prepares to perform in Pyongyang next week.

The conductor said he believes that arts must be totally apolitical, nonpartisan and free of issue-specific agendas. He said the arts have a role in bringing peoples and their cultures together on common ground, where the roots of peaceful interchange can take hold.

Maazel said if all goes well, the presence of the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang could influence the perception of the U.S. in the communist state.

He added that many believe the time has come to take the tiny steps that must be taken to ease tensions and which could lead to lasting reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

The New York Philharmonic launched a tour in Shanghai and Beijing. It will perform in Pyongyang on Tuesday.