Why is the Nobel prize in physics, chemistry, physiology, literature and peace celebrated with classical music?

_{Soprano Malin Byström and Czech conductor Petr Popelka with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Picture: Fleur Lendemar}

Written by Fleur R Lendemar and Jana Ševčíková

On December 8, the Nobel Prize Concert took place at Stockholm Concert Hall, a highlight of Nobel Week celebrating laureates’ contributions to society. The event, attended by Swedish royals, diplomats, and scholars, featured performances by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra. But when the guests take their seats, switch off their phones and the lights turn down one might wonder: What is the connection between classical music and science and how does it relate to discoveries in protein structures, microRNA, and poetic prose?  

This year’s Concert featured Swedish soprano Malin Byström and Czech conductor Petr Popelka having his debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra. Both being currently one of the most sought-after in their fields of work – Popelka being currently the chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony. The concert is one of the main events during Nobel Week in Stockholm. Two days later, on December 10th—the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death—the award presentations take place at the Concert Hall, followed by a banquet at Stockholm City Hall, where the evening also features musical performances.

Fredrik Lendemar Andersson, Program Director at Stockholm Concert Hall, explains his view on what common denominators music has with the celebration of the nobel prize awarded research.   

– Science explains to people how the world works and how things are connected. There is a fact-based precision in science that is also present in music. Music is structured in the same way as maths with given laws and rules, says Lendemar Andersson.

The liaison between science and classical music was also promoted by the Czech conductor Petr Popelka during his opening speech of the concert, where he named historical figures within science, for example Albert Einstein, that had a strong parallel relation to classical music.

Nevertheless, there are differences between music and science.

-Music sets something in motion that is captured by the listener and which, at the best of times, can touch people’s souls. How this happens and is possible cannot be described scientifically. There are no facts that can explain how, and why, music taps into our emotions and our spiritual life, says Lendemar Andersson and continues:

-And this is what separates music from science, even though they are related. Music, and all art, expresses timeless values and is unique, and what sets us apart from all other animals.

Celebrating science with music is on the one hand the most natural way of enhancing scientific success, where its accomplishments are celebrated with the success of well composed notes, directing and singing. Both music and science share a fundamental need for structure and composition, creating a natural connection between the two. At the same time, there is an unexplainable symbiosis between science and music- one that cannot always be fully explained in the same way as the other. While scientific research allows us to analyze and implement the accomplishments to improve our lives, music has the power to elevate our emotions, perceptions, and thoughts in ways that are equally transformative. Even if it can’t be explained scientifically.

-That is why we sometimes need to stop and look into, if you like, the world of the imagination, and thus also celebrate what can be explained by the inexplicable, says Fredrik Lendemar Andersson