Featuring a composer-oriented program and focusing on world contemporary music, the sixth New Music Week held by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music will kick off on October 11.

Twelve concerts, four lectures and a music critic competition will take place over a week, offering music fans a feast of contemporary classical music.

Wen Deqing, music director of New Music Week, told the Global Times that the event offers a good opportunity for classical music aficionados and academics to communicate face to face with top composers from all over the world. "This year we invited German composer Jörg Widmann to give a performance, sharing his talent and music with the audience." Works by Chinese composer Luo Zhongrong will be performed by Mivos String Quartet from the US. Resident composer Qin Wenchen will also stage a special performance showcasing his works.

The opening concert will begin with works by resident composers, including the late Yang Liqing's masterpiece The Impression of Muqam for Cello Concerto.

"Yang once told me that he would like the concerto to be performed at Music Week," Wen recalled. "The piece was inspired by traditional music from Xinjiang." The closing concert is a Kunqu Opera-style symphony, Harmony among Heaven, Earth and Mankind. Inspired by The Peony Pavilion, the four movements were each written by a different composer. "Contemporary creation is closely connected with the tradition," noted Wen.

Among the schedule of orchestral concerts is a gig by the blind folk musician Zhou Yunpeng. Wen said it was the great talent Zhou revealed in his music and lyrics that inspired them to invite the influential singer-songwriter to participate in the music week. "God opened another window for him to look at the world. We're drawn to his music because it's filled with emotion," Wen said.

In addition to concerts, there will be lectures about contemporary art and music. This year, celebrated painter Chen Danqing will share his thoughts on music in a lecture titled "Why I listen to music when I paint."

Wen told the Global Times: "Chen knows a lot about music. We can always find his unique sense about music in his books and talking with artists from other fields can help broaden our musical horizons."

During the week, a music criticism competition will be held. This year the organizing committee received dozens of submissions from around the world. "Most of the articles were written by professional music critics," Wen said. He noted a change from previous years when critics tended to analyze music from a theoretical point of view. "Music criticism in China still needs improving, and I am very glad that more and more writers are turning to focus on the music itself," Wen said.

Tickets cost between 30 yuan ($4.90) to 100 yuan and can be purchased from the office (418, Southern Building, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, 20 Fenyang Road) or booked online at www.shcnmw.com.

Shanghai Concert Hall:

Opening concert: Resident composers symphony concert (7:30 pm, October 11)

Closing concert: Harmony among Heaven, Earth and Mankind (7:30 pm, October 16)

He Luting Concert Hall:

Concert Portrait by Qin Wenchen (7:15 pm, October 12)

Path to Modernity: Inaugural Concert by Sinfonietta of Shanghai Conservatory of Music (7:15 pm, October 13)

Concert Portrait by Jörg Widmann (7:15 pm, October 14)

Concert Portrait by Luo Zhongrong (7:15 pm, October 15)