Ode to Virtue is a choral symphony written by contemporary Chinese composer Wang Ning, with lyrics by Yi Heng and Han Wangxi. Commissioned by the Shenzhen government, the work consists of five movements, plus a prelude and a coda. It tries to interpret the Chinese people's philosophy and attitude through the vocabulary of Western symphonic music. The work also seeks to motivate the Chinese people to strive for the dream of national renaissance.

Zhou Long, chief violinist of the orchestra, says overseas audiences will easily understand the essence of Chinese culture through the symphony.

"It will be a good show," says Zhou, 48, who has studied and performed in the US for more than 20 years. He says the combined form is a perfect way to introduce Chinese culture to the world.

"It will be my first time performing for a European audience, but I think our team will bring the best out of the music."

Chen Xueqing, the chief cellist, agrees, saying music has no boundaries.

"There will not be any difficulties for our audience in feeling the Chinese elements in the music," she says. "They will understand the essence of Confucianism better through music than through reading about it."

In July, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, the SSO chorus and the Shenzhen Senior High School Lily Children's Choir premiered the symphony in Pingshan district, Shenzhen, to an audience of about 700.

"The symphony represents the best of Chinese music," says Liu Ping, a Shenzhen resident. "Its lyrics and melody are very inspiring, full of positive energy. I think it conveys traditional Confucianism very well. It gave me an insight into profound traditional Chinese culture, and the end of the performance was exciting."

The first movement, Benevolence, uses harmony to express continuous change. The second movement, Righteousness, uses cellos to express the idea of a righteous person who fights evil, while the third movement, Propriety, is said to be the most refined. Wisdom, the fourth movement, uses a traditional singing style called Yin Song to help create a magical atmosphere. The last movement, Faithfulness, features brass and percussion, and leads to the final part, Wen Ming Yao.

Experts in Confucianism met three times in Shenzhen to reach an agreement on what the symphony would try to present.