When diplomacy stalls, send in the musicians.

In the most powerful symbol to date of thawing international relations, the New York Philharmonic last week became the first big-name cultural import into North Korea. Music director Lorin Maazel conducted pieces from Dvorak, Gershwin and Wagner.

The Phil's visit was agreed to as part of the deal last year to end the North's nuclear weapons program. But there was no sign of leader Kim Jong-il at the concert, and while North Korea has shut down its main reactor and started the dismantling process, the process has been bogged down as North Korea hasn't given a full account of its nuclear capabilities.

Maybe Eric Clapton can help things along. The guitar legend has reportedly been invited to perform in North Korea sometime in 2009.