This music steps into the romantic era. At this time, it was common for publishers to come up with headings and names of music to improve sales, but in the Pastoral symphony, quite unusually, Beethoven himself gave the various movements their picturesque names: “Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside”, ”Scene by the brook”, ”Merry gathering of country folk”, ”Thunder and storm”, ”Shepherd’s song”.

Beethoven is often described as severe, sullen and harsh, and almost a little angry. But here, he takes us on a bright and relaxing musical journey to the countryside, where only a storm disturbs the idyllic setting.

At the Nobel Prize Concert 2016, the sought-after Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda made a unique gueast appearance with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Noseda holds the position as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and he also serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Nobel Prize Concert is an annual event of the highest international standard. The concert is part of the official programme during Nobel Week and is a tribute to the year’s Nobel Prize recipients. In addition to the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, elite musicians and conductors always participate.

The video is shown with permission from Nobel Media AB.