Nobel Peace Prize Concert


The Nobel Peace Prize Concert '' 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.
In 2015 a new distributor was announced and after 20 years at Oslo Spektrum, a change of concert venue was announced. The much larger Telenor Arena. The international entertainment giant IMG lost the job in obtaining sponsors and distribute it.
Instead the concert will be produced by the Norwegian event agency Gyro in cooperation with the television production department to Norwegian Warner Bros, the former Eyeworks.
The concert features performers from a wide range of musical genres, the exception being the year of 1995, when a classical concert was held instead. Several editions of the concert are recorded, with different lengths and content, for airing in several countries.
The hosts give descriptions of the winner's work, an interview with the winner is shown, and the winner gives a speech during the concert.
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 and Kristian Kirkvaag."

Laureates, hosts and artists by year

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

;Laureates: Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin
;Host: Erik Bye
;Artists:
;Laureates: Joseph Rotblat and the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
This year a concert featuring only classical works was held.

1996

;Laureates: Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta
;Host: Lise Fjeldstad
;Artists:
;Laureates: International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Jody Williams
;Host: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
;Artists:
;Producers:
Harry Connick Jr brought 35 musicians with him on stage, when performing at the concert in 1997.

1998

;Laureates: John Hume and David Trimble
;Host: Åse Kleveland
;Artists:
;Producers:
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

;Laureate: Médecins Sans Frontières
;Host: Claus Wiese
;Artists:
;Laureate: Kim Dae-jung
;Host: Jane Seymour
;Artists:
;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

;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

;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

;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 and from people who were unhappy with his supportive statements on the Iraq War. 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

;Laureates: The International Atomic Energy Agency 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

;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

;Laureates: Al Gore and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
;Hosts: Kevin Spacey and Uma Thurman
;Artists:
;Laureate: Martti Ahtisaari
;Hosts: Scarlett Johansson & Michael Caine
;Artists:
The artists joined Diana Ross on stage at the end of the show when/after she was singing Reach Out and Touch.

2009

;Laureate: Barack Obama
;Hosts: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith with additional appearance by their children Jaden Smith and Willow Smith
;Artists:
  • Wyclef Jean – "Diallo", "Gunpowder" and "The Sweetest Girl"
  • Toby Keith – "God Love Her", "Cryin' For Me" and "American Ride"
  • Donna Summer – "MacArthur Park", "She Works Hard for the Money", "Smile", "No More Tears", "Bad Girls" and "Last Dance"
  • Luis Fonsi – "No me doy por vencido" and "Yo Te Propongo"
  • Amadou & Mariam – "Welcome to Mali" and "Beaux Dimanches"
  • Alexander Rybak – "Fairytale"
  • Esperanza Spalding – "Precious" and "I Know You Know"
  • Lang Lang – Rhapsody in Blue
  • Natasha Bedingfield – "Pocketful of Sunshine", "Soulmate"
  • Westlife – "You Raise Me Up", "What About Now"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies and Jens Wendelboe
  • Hearts In Motion Gospel Choir – featured in the finale
The Grand Finale in 2009, sung by all the artists, was Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror".

2010

;Laureate: Liu Xiaobo
;Hosts: Denzel Washington and Anne Hathaway
;Artists:
  • A. R. Rahman – "Slumdog Millionaire Suite", "Jai Ho" featuring Gulrez Khan
  • Herbie Hancock – "Imagine", "Don't Give Up" with Kristina Train, India.Arie and Greg Phillinganes
  • India.Arie – "Imagine" and "Don't Give Up" with Herbie Hancock, "Gift of acceptance" featuring Idan Raichel
  • Colbie Caillat – "Bubbly", "Fallin' for You"
  • Florence and the Machine – "Dog Days Are Over", "Cosmic Love"
  • Robyn – "Jeg vet en deilig rose", "Dancing on my own", "Indestructible"
  • Sivert Høyem – "Prisoner of the Road", "Into the Sea"
  • Barry Manilow – "Could It Be Magic", "Can't Smile Without You", "Mandy", "Copacabana", "One Voice"
  • Jamiroquai – "Canned Heat", "Lifeline", "Virtual Insanity"
  • Idan Raichel – "Gift of Acceptance" with India.Arie
  • Kristina Train – "Imagine" and "Don't Give Up" with Herbie Hancock
  • Greg Phillinganes – "Imagine" and "Don't Give Up" with Herbie Hancock
  • Gulrez Khan – "Jai Ho" with A.R. Rahman
  • Ruth Potter, harp
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies
  • Young Norwegian Strings – Rigaudon from the Holberg Suite
  • Nobel House Band
  • Hearts In Motion Gospel Choir
All artists performed Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" as the finale to the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

2011

;Laureates: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Roberta Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman
;Hosts: Helen Mirren and Rosario Dawson
;Artists:
  • Janelle Monáe – "Cold War", "I Want You Back", "Tightrope"
  • Angélique Kidjo – "Africa"
  • Evanescence – "Lost in Paradise", "Bring Me to Life"
  • Ahmed Fathi – "The Good Spirits"
  • Ellie Goulding – "Starry Eyed", "Your Song"
  • Jill Scott – "Hate on Me", "Golden", "He Loves Me "
  • Jarle Bernhoft – "C'mon Talk"
  • Sugarland – "Stuck Like Glue", "Tonight"
  • David Gray – "Fugitive"
  • World Youth Choir – "O Fortuna"
  • Miatta Fahnbulleh – "Obaa"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies
  • Hearts In Motion Gospel Choir
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

;Laureate: European Union
;Hosts: Sarah Jessica Parker and Gerard Butler
;Artists:
  • Susanne Sundfør – "White Foxes"
  • Karpe Diem – "Påfugl" featuring Maria Mena
  • Laleh Pourkarim – "Some Die Young"
  • Jennifer Hudson – "Night of Your Life" and "I Want to Dance with Somebody"
  • Kylie Minogue – "On a Night Like This", "Can't Get You Out of My Head"
  • Seal – "It's a Man's Man's Man's World", "Kiss from a Rose", "Crazy"
  • Fanfare Ciocărlia – "Huricestra"
  • OqueStrada – "Oxala Te Veja"
  • Ne-Yo – "Let Me Love You"
  • Il Volo, "Il Mondo", "We Are Love"
  • Milow – "You Don't Know", "You and me"
  • Maria Mena – "Påfugl" with Karpe Diem
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies and Cliff Masterson

    2013

;Laureate: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
;Hosts: Claire Danes and Aaron Eckhart
;Artists:
  • Mary J. Blige – "Family Affair", "Just Fine", "One"
  • James Blunt – "You're Beautiful", "Bonfire Heart", "No Bravery"
  • Envy – "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
  • Mosaic

    2014

;Laureates: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi
;Host: Queen Latifah
;Artists:
  • 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 – "I Am Malala"
  • Amjad Ali Khan – "Raga For Peace"
  • Angelina Jordan – "What a Wonderful World" Dedicated to Nobel Laureates by the newly crowned Oslo-born Norske Talenter winner.
  • Bolly Flex Dancers – "Jai Ho", "Chaiya Chaiya", "Nagada Sang Dhol", "One Two Three Four Get"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies
  • Mosaic
Much of the concert of 2014 was influenced by Bollywood performances.

2015

;Laureates: Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet
;Hosts: Jay Leno, Derek Muller
;Artists:
  • A-ha – "Scoundrel Days", "The Sun Always Shines on TV", "Stay on These Roads", "Sycamore Leaves", "Take On Me Remix" with Kygo
  • Aurora – "Murder Song ", "Half the World Away", "Runaway"
  • Kygo – "Stole the Show" feat Parson James, "Stay" feat Maty Noyes, "Firestone" feat Kurt Nilsen, "Take On Me Remix" feat. A-ha
  • Jason Derulo – "Cheyenne", "Want To Want Me"
  • Emel Mathlouthi – "Kelmti Horra "
  • MØ – "New Year's Eve", "Lean On"
  • Parson James – "Stole the Show" with Kygo
  • Maty Noyes – "Stay" with Kygo
  • Kurt Nilsen – "Firestone" with Kygo
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra
  • Mosaic Gospel Choir

    2016

;Laureate: President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos for his peace negotiation efforts with FARC
;Host: Conan O'Brien
;Artists:
  • Frøder – "Over the Sea"
  • Halsey – "Castle", "Colors"
  • Highasakite – "Golden Ticket", "Lover, Where Do You Live?"
  • Icona Pop – "All Night", "I Love It", "Brightside"
  • Juanes – "A Dios le Pido", "Fuego", "La Camisa Negra"
  • Marcus & Martinus – "Without You", "Bae"
  • Sting – "Fragile", "One Fine Day", "Message in a Bottle", "Every Breath You Take"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra
  • Mosaic Gospel Choir

    2017

;Laureate:
;Host:
;Artists:
  • John Legend – "What's Going On", "Penthouse", "Love Me Now", "All of Me", "Glory", "God Only Knows" with Zara Larsson
  • Sigrid Raabe – "Strangers", "Dynamite",
  • Zara Larsson – "Lush Life", "Symphony", "God Only Knows" with John Legend
  • Matoma, "One in a Million", "Slow", "False Alarm"
  • Lukas Graham – "Funeral", "7 Years"
  • – "One in a Million" with Matoma
  • Shy Martin – "Slow" with Matoma
  • Becky Hill – "False Alarm" with Matoma
  • Le Petit Cirque – "Hero"
  • Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies
  • Nobel House Band
  • Mosaic Gospel Choir, SiNoRi and Elitekoret
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.

2018

;Laureate:
No regular Nobel Peace Prize Concert was held this year, as the organizers decided to look at the event and make changes. An alternative concert is planned for 2018. It is estimated that the original Nobel Peace Prize concert will appear again in a different format in 2019.
Hosts: Kåre Magnus Bergh and Silje Nordnes
Artists for alternative concert:
  • Eivind Buene
  • Eva Weel-Skram
  • Kurt Nilsen
  • Christel Alsos
  • Amanda Delara
  • Fargespill
  • Freddy Kalas
  • Matoma
  • Vamp
  • Wenche Myhre
  • Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen
  • D.D.E.
  • Julie Bergan

    International broadcasters

CountryBroadcaster
NorwayNRK
SwedenSVT
AustraliaABC2
ArgentinaChannel 7
BrazilTV Bandeirantes
DenmarkDR K
IcelandSkjárEinn
IndiaZee Café
IndonesiaMetroTV
ItalyPlayme.tv, repeat Mediaset
TurkeyTRT
UKSky Arts
USAFox Broadcasting Company