Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a repertoire inspired by Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan's (1085-1145) scroll painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival - an iconic Chinese masterpiece hailed as "China's Mona Lisa".

Rather than depicting the enigmatic smile of a mysterious European woman, the artwork portrays the everyday lives of the ancient inhabitants of the dynastic capital, Bianjing, in modern Henan province's Kaifeng city.

It inspired composer Shi Zhiyou to spend five years writing symphonies based on its scenes. The songs were scored according to a Western symphonic style but also incorporate Chinese instruments and melodies. The namesake performance premiered in Japan in May 2008. It will arrive at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center on April 28, under Wang Yongji's baton.

The composer borrows from Chinese folk songs, Yueju Opera, Quju Opera and Sipingdiao. He also uses many traditional instruments, including erhu, zhuihu, banhu and gaohu.

China's premier erhu (two-stringed fiddle) player Song Fei will appear as the concert's soloist.

"Erhu is good at expressing people's innermost feelings, so the composer uses it to musically depict Countryside Picture and Nostalgic Picture," Song says.

"Zhuihu can convey a positive and happy feeling, so it is befitting of Picture of Carrying a Sedan Chair."

Other instrumentalists include Chang Jing, the only guzheng artist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony, and Chen Yue, the country's No 1 female flautist and a lecturer at the China Conservatory of Music. China's only pipa soloist at the first Kronos Quartet Class held in Carnegie Hall this year, Yang Jing, will also perform.

Live dance shows and an LED screen display of the scroll will add visual appeal. Hi-tech visual effects, video and lighting will change with the music.

Dancers Gu Liangliang and Chai Mingming, from the PLA General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe, will respectively play the roles of poet Li Qingzhao and painter Zhang Zeduan.