The Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra started a road show around Shenzhen in mid-July in preparation for perfo rmances at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris on Sept 21. (World Peace Day) Ode to Virtue is a mixed, treble and symphony piece that consists of five music movements focusing on the core values of “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and faithfulness” based on Confucian teachings. Moreover, the ode uses orchestral music to express the shifts in Confucian thought over the past centuries.

UNESCO formally invited the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra to perform the work at its headquarters in Paris on Sept 21. A delegation, organized by the Shenzhen municipal propaganda department, has gone to Paris to discuss details about the performance with UNESCO and the Chinese embassy in France.

Ode to Virtue was performed during two periods, July 15 to 19 and August 25 to 31, in the Shenzhen Concert Hall and Baoli Theater, respectively. The road show will be directed by Zhang Guoyong and will pay back citizens for all their support.