A symphonic exploration of Earth’s complex systems of life across space and time

Beijer Director Carl Folke has collaborated with one of Europe’s leading contemporary music composers, Jacob Mühlrad, in deep conversations about the biosphere, resilience, panarchy, and the evolution of life. The result was heard at the Swedish Concert Hall on November 28, where the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performed Mühlrad’s symphonic work RESIL I.

RESIL is a symphony in two parts. Part one is a meditation on the history of life on Earth, inspired by Folke and colleagues’ concept of panarchy—an idea that our planet is a nested system of interdependent processes, from the smallest biological interactions to the vast forces of global ecosystems.

It portrays the rise of the biosphere, from the sound of gas, through periods of dramatic change, such as the emergence of algae with oxygen as a byproduct, which caused a major tipping point in life on Earth and paved the way for the evolution of new life forms, including humankind. The music mirrors panarchical systems—complex systems of life across space and time—and the predictable and unpredictable.

RESIL II, which will be premiered in 2026, envisions a sustainable future in the Anthropocene, the current geological epoch shaped by significant human impact on Earth’s systems.

The collaboration was initiated by Cecilia Wikström, CEO of the Beijer Foundation, which is a core founder of the Beijer Institute. The Beijer Foundation also commissioned the piece. Jacob Mühlrad and Carl Folke quickly found that, despite their different backgrounds, they communicated easily.

“Carl’s ability to explain the symbiosis of life captivated me, especially the idea that existence is an exception—fragile and improbable, starting with green algae producing oxygen as a byproduct, which made current life possible,” says Mühlrad.

Folke’s concepts of interconnected systems directly informed Mühlrad’s entire composition, reflecting the biosphere’s physical laws in music. Mühlrad’s music draws on nature’s own frequencies, including the Earth’s “inherent tone” of 7.83 Hz, transposed into an abstract yet grounding motif. The symphony’s overtone series reflects the physical laws that govern sound and life alike, emphasizing interconnectedness.

“For me, creating this project has been a deeply reflective process. And I hope it will be for audiences too,”  Mühlrad says.

The performance was recorded and a link to the recording will be found here when it is released in early 2025.