Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Summary

The Nobel Peace Prize Concert (Norwegian and Swedish: Nobels fredspriskonsert) has been held annually since 1994 on 11 December to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The award ceremony on 10 December takes place in Oslo City Hall, while the concert has been held at Oslo Spektrum, with the attendance of the laureate and other prominent guests. The Concert is broadcast to a global audience and reaches up to 350 million households in 100 countries.[citation needed]

Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine at the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Concert

In 2015 the concert venue was moved from Oslo Spektrum to the much larger Telenor Arena. The concert was held there until it was cancelled in 2018, replaced by an outdoor Nobel Peace Party which was organised outside the Oslo City Hall. In 2021 the Concert was relaunched in collaboration with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, architectural firm Snøhetta and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.[1]

The concert features performers from a wide range of musical genres with the exception of the 1995 concert, which featured only classical works. Several editions of the concert are recorded, with different lengths and content, for airing in different countries.

The hosts give descriptions of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's work as well as an interview with the laureate. The laureate gives a speech during the concert.[citation needed]

2018-2020 Hiatus edit

In 2018, the concert organizers announced that the show would be put on hiatus for 2018, hoping to hold a relaunched concert the following year. The official website stated, "The decision emerges from a wish to re-think the concert format and content but also reflects the challenging financial situation of the concert in recent years. Moreover, people’s media preferences have undergone radical change since the first concert in 1994. This is something the concert organizers and producers are keenly aware of as they move forward. We have struggled to maintain an appropriate level of financing and want to use the year ahead to develop a new format for the concert. Our ambition is to launch a renewed and better concert in 2019. [...] We plan to use this break to further develop the format and strengthen the financing beyond the continuing and generous support of our long term Norwegian sponsors. The firmer our financial base, the stronger our independence in choice of concert format and profile, say concert producers Odd Arvid Strømstad (Warner Bros. Norway) and Kristian Kirkvaag (Gyro)."[citation needed]

Laureates, hosts and artists by year edit

Since planning starts in January, the artists invited to the concert aren't typically connected to the winner, who is announced in October. However, a few late additions are usually made to reflect the winner. Originally, the show was hosted by Norwegian celebrities or television personalities. However, since the year 2000 hosts have with few exceptions come from the United States of America. The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is the main orchestra every year.

1994 edit

Laureates
Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin
Host
Erik Bye
Artists

1995 edit

Laureates
Joseph Rotblat and the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs

This year a concert featuring only classical works was held.

1996 edit

Laureates
Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta
Host
Lise Fjeldstad
Artists

1997 edit

Laureates
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and Jody Williams
Host
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
Artists
Producers
  • Andrew Lanter- IMG

Harry Connick Jr brought 35 musicians with him on stage, when performing at the concert in 1997.

1998 edit

Laureates
John Hume and David Trimble
Host
Åse Kleveland
Artists
Producers
  • Andrew Lanter- IMG

At the concert in 1998, American TV network Fox, did not include A-ha's performance, which was edited out. Another performance edited out by Fox in 1998, was Norwegian artist Espen Lind's "Pop From Hell". The word "hell" was not the problem, but the following sentence: "You make me so hard/because you're a star". A Fox-producer stated it would be too much to take for the American family audience. Espen Lind was told his performance would not be edited out if he did not include the word "hard" in the song, but he would not change the lyrics. He said he did not want to let himself be controlled by a double-moralistic American family channel, and that such compromises were not acceptable for him to make.

1999 edit

Laureate
Médecins Sans Frontières
Host
Claus Wiese
Voice-over: David Fishel
Artists

2000 edit

Laureate
Kim Dae-jung
Host
Jane Seymour (short notice cancellation by Meryl Streep)
Artists

2001 edit

Laureates
The United Nations and Kofi Annan
Hosts
Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep
Artists

The 2001 concert's closing song was "Let It Be", performed by Paul McCartney and the other artists.

2002 edit

Laureate
Jimmy Carter
Hosts
Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange
Artists

The Grand Finale in 2002, performed by all the artists, was "Imagine" by John Lennon.

2003 edit

Laureate
Shirin Ebadi
Hosts
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
Artists

The Grand Finale in 2003, sung by all the artists, was "Imagine". Robert Plant sang and changed the word "religion" with "division" in the sentence "Nothing to kill or die for/ And no division too".

2004 edit

Laureate
Wangari Maathai
Hosts
Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise
Artists

The use of Tom Cruise as a host created some controversy both from people fearing it could be used to promote Scientology[2] and from people who were unhappy with his supportive statements on the Iraq War.[3] There was however no mention of Scientology during the concert and Cruise has stated his remarks on the war were misquoted. The Grand Finale was led by Patti LaBelle. For the third year in a row, the song chosen for the finale was John Lennon's "Imagine".

2005 edit

Laureates
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Mohamed ElBaradei
Hosts
Julianne Moore and Salma Hayek
Artists

The Grand Finale in 2005, sung by all the artists, was "Give Peace a Chance".

2006 edit

Laureates
Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank
Hosts
Sharon Stone and Anjelica Huston
Artists

The artists joined Lionel Richie on stage at the end of the show when/after he was singing "All Night Long".

2007 edit

Laureates
Al Gore and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Hosts
Kevin Spacey (short notice cancellation by Tommy Lee Jones) and Uma Thurman[4]
Artists

2008 edit

 
Diana Ross (in yellow dress) and the other artists round off the Nobel Concert 2008 in Oslo Spektrum.
Laureate
Martti Ahtisaari
Hosts
Scarlett Johansson[5] & Michael Caine[6]
Artists

The artists joined Diana Ross on stage at the end of the show when/after she was singing "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".

2009 edit

 
Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2009
Laureate
Barack Obama (did not attend the concert)
Hosts
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith with additional appearance by their children Jaden Smith and Willow Smith[8]
Artists

The Grand Finale in 2009, sung by all the artists, was Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror".[9]

2010 edit

 
Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2010
Laureate
Liu Xiaobo (absent)
Hosts
Denzel Washington and Anne Hathaway[10]
Artists

All artists performed Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" as the finale to the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

2011 edit

Laureates
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Roberta Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman
Hosts
Helen Mirren[11] and Rosario Dawson[12]
Artists

All artists joined with Angélique Kidjo on the stage singing the song "Move On Up" as the finale to the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

2012 edit

 
Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2012
Laureate
European Union[15]
Hosts
Sarah Jessica Parker and Gerard Butler[16]
Artists

2013 edit

Laureate
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons[20]
Hosts
Claire Danes[21] and Aaron Eckhart[22]
Artists
[23][24]
  • Mary J. Blige – "Family Affair", "Just Fine", "One" (finale)
  • James Blunt – "You're Beautiful", "Bonfire Heart", "No Bravery"
  • Envy (aka. Nico & Vinz) – "In Your Arms", "Am I Wrong"
  • Zara Larsson – "Uncover"
  • Morrissey – "Satellite of Love", "People Are The Same Everywhere", "Irish Blood, English Heart"
  • Jake Bugg – "Broken", "A Song About Love"
  • Timbuktu feat. Vinni – "Alla Vill Till Himmelen Men Få Vill Ju Dö", "Let The Monkey Out"
  • Omar Souleyman – "Salamat Galbi Bidek"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies (featured in all performances)
  • Mosaic (Gospel Choir) (featured in Envy's "Am I Wrong", Timbuktu's "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö" and "Let the Monkey Out" and Mary J. Blige's "One")

2014 edit

Laureates
Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi
Host
Queen Latifah[25] (also performed two songs during the show: "I Know Where I've Been" and "U.N: I.T.Y.")
Artists
[26][27][28][29]
  • Gabrielle Leithaug – "5 Fine Frøkner", "I Believe"
  • Seinabo Sey – "Younger"
  • Nuno Bettencourt – "More Than Words" with Steven Tyler
  • Steven Tyler – "Dream On", "Livin' On the Edge", "More than Words"
  • Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – "Medley", "Aao Parhao"
  • Laura Mvula – "Sing to the Moon", "That's Alright"
  • Girls of the World (Juliana Joya, Emily Anne, and Carmen Amare) – "I Am Malala"
  • Amjad Ali Khan – "Raga For Peace"
  • Bolly Flex Dancers – "Jai Ho", "Chaiya Chaiya", "Nagada Sang Dhol", "One Two Three Four Get"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies (featured in all performances)
  • Mosaic (Gospel Choir) (featured in Queen Latifah's "I Know Where I've Been", Gabrielle Leithaug's "I Believe", Steven Tyler's "Dream on", Girls of the World's "I Am Malala" and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's "Aao Parhao")
  • Angelina Jordan - "What a Wonderful World"

Much of the concert of 2014 was influenced by Bollywood performances.

2015 edit

Laureates
Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet[30]
Hosts
Jay Leno (main program),[31] Derek Muller (YouTube backstage host)[32]
Artists

2016 edit

Laureate
President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos for his peace negotiation efforts with FARC[36]
Host
Conan O'Brien (also performed a short "traditional Norwegian song" based on Jørn Hoel's "Har en drøm" with the orchestra after Halsey's set)
Artists

2017 edit

Laureate
Host
Artists

One of the surviving Hibaku pianos, a series of pianos that were successfully restored following the Hiroshima and Nagaski atomic bombings in 1945, was featured during the event. It was played by John Legend during his and Zara Larsson's duet. This was the last concert before a hiatus was announced in 2018.[citation needed]

2018 edit

Laureate

No regular Nobel Peace Prize Concert was held in 2018, as the organizers decided to look at the event and make changes. An alternative concert was planned for 9 December 2018. It was estimated that the original Nobel Peace Prize concert will appear again in a different format in 2019, however this has not proven to be the case.[citation needed]

Hosts: Kåre Magnus Bergh and Silje Nordnes

Artists for alternative concert:[48]


2024 edit

Laureate
  • Stefan Forsberg and Laura Sprechmann
Orchestra and Conductor

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen

Artists

Julia Fischer

This concert features classical orchestral pieces from classical composers: Boccherini, Brahms, Ravel, and a modern American composer Gabriella Smith

International broadcasters edit

Country Broadcaster
  Norway NRK
  Sweden SVT
  Australia ABC2
  Argentina Channel 7
  Brazil TV Bandeirantes
  Denmark DR K
  Iceland SkjárEinn
  India Zee Café
  Indonesia MetroTV
  Italy Playme.tv, repeat Mediaset
  Turkey TRT
  UK Sky Arts
  USA Fox Broadcasting Company

References edit

  1. ^ "Nobel Peace Prize Concert - Nobel Peace Prize". www.nobelpeaceprize.org. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  2. ^ Article in Dagbladet on Cruise, Scientology and the Concert (Norwegian) Retrieved 12 December 2006
  3. ^ Article from BBC NEWS on Cruise and Spielberg backing the war in Iraq Retrieved 12 December 2006
  4. ^ "Article in BT on the concert".
  5. ^ "Nobel Institute nabs high-profile concert host". Aftenposten. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  6. ^ "Michael Caine to co-host Nobel Concert". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  7. ^ Bentley, Dierks. "Sideways". AOL Music Sessions. AOL Inc. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  8. ^ Will Smith skal lede Nobelkonserten. side2.no. 30 September 2009.
  9. ^ Roberts, Soraya (12 December 2009). "Hairstyles of Will Smith's kids, Willow and Jaden, rock Obama's Nobel Peace Prize concert in Norway". New York Daily News.
  10. ^ "Denzel Washington leder Nobelkonserten – VG Nett om Nobels fredspris". Vg.no. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  11. ^ Mirren leder fredspriskonserten. nrk.no. 18 November 2011.
  12. ^ "Hollywood-stjerne leder Nobelkonserten – kultur". Dagbladet.no. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Janelle Monáe til Nobelkonserten. nrk.no. 19 October 2011.
  14. ^ a b c d Nobel Peace Prize Concert. nobelpeaceprizeconcert.no. Accessed 19 November 2011.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Karpe Diem synger for fred og EU – Aftenposten". Aftenposten.no. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Sex og singelliv-stjernen leder Nobelkonserten – Aftenposten". Aftenposten.no. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  17. ^ a b "Hudson og Seal klare for Nobelkonserten – VG Nett". Vg.no. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  18. ^ Fikk applaus for engasjement (11 December 2012). nrk.no.
  19. ^ a b c d e Lise Grønskar lise.gronskar@dagbladet.no (28 November 2012). "Ne-Yo kommer til Norge – kultur". Dagbladet.no. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  20. ^ Buan, Vibeke. "- Fredsprisen kan åpne opp for en bredere Syria-løsning". Aftenposten.
  21. ^ ""Homeland"-stjerne blir årets Nobelvert". www.vg.no. 30 October 2013.
  22. ^ Nordseth, Pål (3 December 2013). "Aaron Eckhart leder Nobelkonserten sammen med Claire Danes". Dagbladet.no.
  23. ^ "Her er de første Nobelartistene". www.vg.no. 6 November 2013.
  24. ^ Bjørnstad, THEA STEEN Guro Havro (25 November 2013). "2011: Rystet Norge med 22. juli-utsagn 2013: Spiller på fredspriskonserten". Dagbladet.no.
  25. ^ Marthinussen, Linn-Christin (20 November 2014). "Queen Latifah er årets Nobel-vertinne". Dagbladet.no.
  26. ^ "De skal opptre på fredspriskonserten". www.vg.no. 19 November 2014.
  27. ^ Suvatne, Steinar Solås (19 November 2014). "Gabrielle eneste norske bidrag når Malala skal hylles". Dagbladet.no.
  28. ^ Nordseth, Pål (21 November 2014). "Steven Tyler til Nobelkonserten". Dagbladet.no.
  29. ^ Nordseth, Pål (27 November 2014). "Norske Kygo gjorde henne til stjerne". Dagbladet.no.
  30. ^ "2015 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Announced". www.nobelpeaceprizeconcert.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  31. ^ Elnan, Cathrine (16 November 2015). "Jay Leno skal lede Fredspriskonserten". NRK.
  32. ^ "YouTube sensation Derek Muller to host live backstage show prior to Concert". www.nobelpeaceprizeconcert.org. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015.
  33. ^ This selection was performed before the actual show started. It did not appear in the televised broadcast, but was featured in the YouTube preshow.
  34. ^ Graatrud, Gabrielle (25 October 2015). "A-ha og Aurora Aksnes til Nobelkonserten". Dagbladet.no.
  35. ^ Aune, Oddvin (18 November 2015). "Kygo spiller på Fredspriskonserten". NRK.
  36. ^ "Nobel Peace Prize for Colombia president". BBC News. 7 October 2016 – via BBC.
  37. ^ "FRØDER – OVER THE SEA – The 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Concert". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  38. ^ This selection was performed before the actual show started. It did not appear in the televised broadcast, but was uploaded as a separate clip on the concert's YouTube page.
  39. ^ "Stjerneskudd til Nobelkonserten". NRK P3. 28 September 2016.
  40. ^ "Tickets for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Concert is here! (link in bio) First band out is @Highasakiteband #nppc pic.twitter.com/FmALPmXOrM" Nobel Peace Prize Concert Twitter account, 1 July 2016
  41. ^ Grindem, Karianne (19 October 2016). "Marcus og Martinus til Nobelkonserten". Dagbladet.no.
  42. ^ "Hollywood-stjernen David Oyelowo skal lede fredspriskonserten". www.vg.no. 5 December 2017.
  43. ^ Inc, Midwest Communications. "Oslo me loves Oslo you: John Legend to headline Nobel Peace Prize concert". 101 WIXX. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  44. ^ "Sigrid Raabe spiller på Nobelkonserten". www.vg.no. 5 October 2017.
  45. ^ "Zara Larsson til Nobelkonserten". www.vg.no. 11 October 2017.
  46. ^ "Official website".
  47. ^ "Matoma bruker Adam Douglas som stand-in". www.vg.no. 11 December 2017.
  48. ^ "Slik blir utendørskonserten "Nobels Fredsfest"". www.vg.no. 22 November 2018.

External links edit

  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2005) at IMDb  
  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2003) at IMDb  
  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2002) at IMDb  
  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2001) at IMDb  
  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert (1997) at IMDb  

59°54′46.68″N 10°45′16.74″E / 59.9129667°N 10.7546500°E / 59.9129667; 10.7546500