Nobel Prize Concert 2023

Conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the leading names in classical music of our time. He often combines the core repertoire with bold, innovative programming, and has simultaneously emerged as a razor-sharp and forward-looking spokesperson for the entire genre. We are proud to welcome Esa-Pekka Salonen as the conductor of this year’s Nobel Prize Concert.

Johannes Brahms’ stirring violin concerto contains an excess of powerful melodies in moods ranging from tender melancholy to pure euphoria. The violin soloist is Julia Fischer, known worldwide for her incredible versatility (she is also a professional pianist). With the Nobel Prize Concert, she makes her debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra – in this absolute classic that we never grow tired of.

Italian composer Luigi Boccherini was active in the late eighteenth century in the Spanish court, and portrayed the city in “Night Music from the Streets of Madrid”. 200 years later, his fellow countryman Luciano Berio transformed parts of the music into a festive orchestral work that begins this year’s Nobel Prize Concert. American composer Gabriella Smith also paints memories with her work Tumblebird Contrails, from 2014. The music takes us to the Californian peninsula of Point Reyes, from where Smith conveys the experience of the Pacific Ocean’s resonant spectacle.  

Another painterly piece is Maurice Ravel’s ballet music for the classical love story between Daphnis and Chloé. He created two concert suites from the ballet, and Suite No. 2 is the most popular by far. This smart and colourful music begins with a spectacular sunrise setting the scene. 

The Nobel Prize Concert is an annual event of the highest international standard at which the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra appears with world-leading musicians. The concert is part of the official programme during Nobel Week and is a tribute to the year’s Nobel Prize recipients. 

The concert will be streamed live on SVT Play for viewers in Sweden. For viewers abroad, we refer to Nobelprize.org and if you prefer to listen via radio, P2 streams directly.

Dress code: Dark suit

The concert is presented by Nobel Prize Outreach AB in partnership with Konserthuset Stockholm.