The Shanghai No. 1 National Musical Instruments Factory will display a collection of 20 limited-edition guzheng (Chinese zither) designed by Zhu Zhongmin, a noted calligrapher and painter. [Shanghai Daily]

Fine musical instruments from around the world, including ancient and modern masterpieces, will be showcased and played on October 13-16 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Pudong.

The Music China 2009 international exhibition will feature 1,133 enterprises from 24 countries and regions. Many instruments can be bought or ordered.

There will be ongoing performances and concerts involving prominent musicians, plus demonstrations and lectures.

Traditional Chinese musical instruments will also be featured and masters will perform and give talks.

The Shanghai International Musical Instrument Exhibition originated in 2002 as part of the Shanghai International Art Festival. It began as a business and trade exhibition, but today it is also a platform for musical culture exchange and communication, according to Wang Lei, exhibition director of INTEX Shanghai Co, the organizer.

The latest musical instruments - from grand pianos to electronic keyboards and drums - and everything an orchestra or band could need will be on display.

Exhibitors come from the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, Japan and China.

Steinway & Sons will unveil its masterpiece of figured ice birch. The natural grain and patterns make the piano appear to glitter.

The Shanghai No. 1 National Musical Instruments Factory will display a collection of 20 limited-edition guzheng (Chinese zither) designed by Zhu Zhongmin, a noted calligrapher and painter.

Around 30 concerts will be staged throughout the exhibition, including classical music, rock, country, pop and Chinese music. Visitors can watch robot dancing and take part in interactive programs inviting the audience to play as well.

Those drummers who dare can take the stage with celebrated Japanese percussionist Kumi Masunaga.

Famous Chinese musicians are invited to perform, popularize and discuss traditional music.

He Zhanhao, one of the composers for "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto," will discuss musical images in Chinese traditional music.

Erhu (two-stringed fiddle) master Yu Hongmei will discuss the legendary bowed instrument. He was the first Chinese musician to give a solo concert at Carnegie Hall in the United States.

Lectures about playing skills will be presented by Zhao Jiazhen, vice president of the China Guqin (seven-stringed zither) Association, and Yuan Sha, president of the China Guzheng Academy.

"Prolight + Sound 2009," an exhibition of lighting and sound, will be running concurrently at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. More than 360 enterprises from China will participate, including C-Mark, Pioneer, Selenium and United Star.

Date: October 13-15, 9:30am-5pm; October 16, 9:30am-3:30pm

Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Center, E1-E2 (musical instrument exhibition), W1-W2 (lighting and sound exhibition)

Address: 2345 Longyang Rd, Pudong

Tel: 021-6295-6677