Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Sibelius' Fifth Symphony is his most performed and beloved. He already felt during its composition that he was creating something great. ”Have received a wonderful theme”, he noted in a diary entry. He had seen sixteen swans, which gave him the idea for the magnificent theme in the final movement. ”One of the great experiences of my life! My God, what beauty.” 

The orchestra is led by the Latvian conductor Aivis Greters, who has conducted the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra a couple of times in recent years. As a prelude to Sibelius after the interval, we hear the latest orchestral work by the Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad. The world premiere of Resil was recently performed by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, and here the work is presented for the first time in a version for a large symphony orchestra.

The composer, pianist, and conductor Adolf Wiklund's two piano concertos are among the best Swedish works in their genre. The first concerto from 1906 is grandly romantic in the footsteps of Rachmaninov, spiced with a touch of Grieg and a pinch of his friend Stenhammar. Wiklund was also the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra's second conductor, from 1925 to 1938.

As the soloist in Wiklund's first piano concerto, we have the versatile pianist Magnus Svensson. He performs concerts both in Sweden and internationally. He has particularly immersed himself in the art lieder and is the artistic director for Konserthuset’s series of lied concerts. Since 2012, he has also been working at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music with re-publishing older Swedish music.

Sibelius' Fifth Symphony is his most performed and beloved. He already felt during its composition that he was creating something great. ”Have received a wonderful theme”, he noted in a diary entry. He had seen sixteen swans, which gave him the idea for the magnificent theme in the final movement. ”One of the great experiences of my life! My God, what beauty.” 

The orchestra is led by the Latvian conductor Aivis Greters, who has conducted the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra a couple of times in recent years. As a prelude to Sibelius after the interval, we hear the latest orchestral work by the Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad. The world premiere of Resil was recently performed by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, and here the work is presented for the first time in a version for a large symphony orchestra.

The composer, pianist, and conductor Adolf Wiklund's two piano concertos are among the best Swedish works in their genre. The first concerto from 1906 is grandly romantic in the footsteps of Rachmaninov, spiced with a touch of Grieg and a pinch of his friend Stenhammar. Wiklund was also the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra's second conductor, from 1925 to 1938.

As the soloist in Wiklund's first piano concerto, we have the versatile pianist Magnus Svensson. He performs concerts both in Sweden and internationally. He has particularly immersed himself in the art lieder and is the artistic director for Konserthuset’s series of lied concerts. Since 2012, he has also been working at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music with re-publishing older Swedish music.

Vienna, London, New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Stockholm. Swedish soprano Malin Byström is the internationally acclaimed artist who graces the world’s most prestigious opera stages. She is the soloist of the year at the Nobel Prize Concert.

Court Singer Malin Byström is one of the most sought-after sopranos of our time, having been named Female Singer of the Year at the International Opera Awards, among other honours. With the rich palette of her lyric-dramatic voice and a radiant stage presence, she has captivated and charmed audiences worldwide. ”I am very much looking forward to this extraordinary concert”, says Malin Byström. ”To be part of Nobel Week, when the eyes of the world are on Sweden, makes me both incredibly proud and deeply humbled. I will sing with all my heart.”

Malin Byström made her debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006, performing music by Richard Strauss. Strauss’s operas have become something of a speciality for Byström, and at the 2024 Nobel Prize Concert, we hear the magnificent final scene from his opera Salome.

The programme also includes the marvellous Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninoff, with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the Czech conductor Petr Popelka, newly appointed Chief Conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and also Chief Conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Popelka opens the concert with music from his homeland, featuring Vítezslava Kaprálová's Suite Rustica from 1938, a work that resonates with delightful Czech folk songs and dances.

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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 is presented by Nobel Prize Outreach AB in collaboration with Konserthuset Stockholm.

Dress code: Dark suit

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What about bags?

Special rules apply at this concert. Bags, shoe bags, and similar items should be left in the cloakroom. If you must bring a bag into the hall, only a small handbag or clutch is permitted, with a maximum size of A4. Please note that any bags brought in will be searched.

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Swedish Radio P2 broadcasts the concert live. It is recorded by the Swedish television, SVT, and will be broadcast on 14 December. For viewers abroad, we refer to Nobelprize.org, where the concert will be available on 14 December.