Editor’s note:

    In celebration of the international debut of Shenzhen-created symphony “Ode to Humanity” in Paris on Sept. 21, for the International Day of Peace, Shenzhen Daily is running a column to introduce the five movements of the symphony.

    Taken from the core concepts of Confucianism, which are ren, yi, li, zhi and xin — benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and integrity — the symphony, consisting of a prelude, five movements and a coda, uses each movement to explore and interpret the spirit of ren, yi, li, zhi and xin through music.

    Wang Yuanyuan

    cheekywang@hotmail.com

    MANY cultural experts and musicians have said the symphony “Ode to Humanity” will become a bridge connecting China and the rest of the world and promote positive energy.

    “China is such an enormous country with a distinctive lure. Whether it is Confucianism, Taoism, new thinking or new poetry, I think the more we can share, the better,” said Rachel Cooper, director of global performing arts and culture programs at Asia Society in the United States.

    The symphony will soon make its international debut in Paris.

    Well-known Chinese composer Xu Peidong said the symphony is a comprehensive interpretation of traditional Chinese culture and Confucianism.

    “What is the ultimate aim of culture? It is civilization. And this piece of work demonstrates the civilization of human beings, using symphony, a world language, to interpret Chinese Confucianism,” Xu said. “Symphony is a Western form of art. It is very difficult to interpret traditional Chinese culture and philosophy with a Western form, but the symphony finds a very good way to make it happen by perfectly combining jin, mu, shui, huo, tu (gold, wood, water, fire and soil) with ren, yi, li, zhi, xin (benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom and integrity).”

    Tsung Yeh, music director of Singapore Chinese Orchestra, also spoke highly of the symphony.

    “I’ve lived in overseas countries for 31 years and I think this symphony has significant meaning to today’s world. Just opening Confucianism institutes is not enough to introduce the essence of Chinese culture. We have to do more promotions in the world. And this visionary symphony is a good way to achieve that goal,” Yeh said.

    The symphony has also drawn wide attention among expatriates in Shenzhen.

    “I like symphonies very much and have been interested in Confucianism since I was young. I think it’s an interesting idea to introduce Confucianism through Western music and I am very much looking forward to seeing how it goes,” said Eric A. Meyer, a British businessman who lives in Nanshan District.

    “Confucianism has so many meanings and it is not easy for foreigners to understand,” Meyer continued. “Music is a universal language, which can help Westerners understand China and Chinese people.”