Polar Music Prize

Not to be confused with Polaris Music Prize.

Polar Music Prize
Awarded for	Exceptional achievements in music
Presented by	Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation
Country	Sweden
First awarded	1992
Official website	polarmusicprize.org

The Polar Music Prize is a Swedish international music award founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, possibly best known to be the manager of the Swedish pop group ABBA, with a donation to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

The award is annually given to one contemporary musician and one classical musician. Exceptions were the year 2001, where it was awarded to three musicians (one composer, one contemporary musician and one inventor) and the year 2003, awarded only to one composer. Without any restrictions of nationality, the prize is to be “awarded for significant achievements in music and/or musical activity, or for achievements which are found to be of great potential importance for music or musical activity, and it shall be referable to all fields within or closely connected with music”.

It was first awarded to the British musician and one of the founders of the Beatles, Paul McCartney, and the Baltic States. The most recent award was made to American poet and musician Patti Smith and American string quartet Kronos Quartet. Laureates are awarded 1 million Swedish kronor. The Polar Music Prize is regarded as Sweden's foremost musical honor.

The prize is overseen by the Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation, which includes members of the Stig Anderson family and representatives of the Swedish Society of Popular Music Composers (SKAP) and the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM). A committee of musicians, other experienced members of the music industry, and members of the Stig Anderson family selects the prize recipients from nominations submitted by representatives of several international music industry organizations.

In recent years, the musical director of the award's music ceremony has been Hans Ek, an internationally known Swedish orchestra conductor and arranger.

Laureates

Year	Recipient	Nationality	Reason	Reference
1992	Paul McCartney and the Baltic States	UK the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)	"The Polar Music Prize of 1 million Swedish Kronor is awarded to Paul McCartney for his creativity and imagination as a composer and artist which has revitalized popular music worldwide over the last 30 years." "The Polar Music Prize of 1 million Swedish Kronor, is given to each of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to support their national music culture, as a nucleus for the formation of performing rights societies in international co-operation."
1993	Dizzy Gillespie and Witold Lutosławski	USA Poland	"The late American jazz legend, Dizzy Gillespie, is awarded the Polar Music Prize, 1993. The Award Committee’s motivation is as follows: Closely familiar with the origins and roots of jazz, and perceiving its fertile development out of a variety of musical cultures, Dizzy Gillespie came on the scene, almost half a century ago, as a revolutionary innovator." "The Polish composer and conductor Witold Lutoslawski is awarded The Polar Music Prize, 1993. The Award Committee´s motivation is as follows: In Witold Lutoslawski, the Committee´s choice has fallen upon one of the pioneers of contemporary European art music."
1994	Quincy Jones and Nikolaus Harnoncourt	USA Austria	"The 1994 Polar Music Prize goes to American composer, arranger and producer Quincy Jones, a boundary-transcending musical magician" "Nikolaus Harnoncourt ranks today as a pioneer of the revival of interest, during recent decades, in early music performed on authentic instruments. But he is also an independent ground-breaker who is constantly discovering new dimensions of the classics."
1995	Elton John and Mstislav Rostropovich	UK Russia	"The 1995 Polar Music Prize has been awarded to the British singer, stage artist and composer Elton John – a central figure in the popular music crucible of the 70s and 80s and, eventually, an eccentric mega-star with a big output of successful hits with a worldwide response from a broadbased public." "The 1995 Polar Music Prize has been awarded to the Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich for a unique artistic achievement distinguished by originality, independence, fluency and vigour of interpretation and instrumental mastery."
1996	Joni Mitchell and Pierre Boulez	Canada France	"Among women in rock music, taking that genre in the broad sense, Joni Mitchell is perhaps the most talented and versatile. In a long career of prolific and many-sided artistry, she has combined the roles of composer, lyric writer, vocal artist and musician with an impressive array of "first instruments"." "—"
1997	Bruce Springsteen and Eric Ericson	USA Sweden	"The American rock singer Bruce Springsteen is awarded the 1997 Polar Music Prize for an outstanding career as singer and stage performer." "The Swedish choral conductor Eric Ericson is awarded the 1997 Polar Music Prize for pioneering achievements as a conductor, teacher, artistic originator and inspirer in Swedish and international choral music."
1998	Ray Charles and Ravi Shankar	USA India	"The 1998 Polar Music Prize goes to pianist, singer, arranger and composer Ray Charles, one of the leading figures of soul music and an important stylistic innovator with an unusual diversity of musical roots – tapping the principal genres of American music – a man whose presence, ever since the 1950s, has been perceptible behind generations of innumerable pop musicians and singers." "—"
1999	Stevie Wonder and Iannis Xenakis	USA France/Greece	"The 1999 POLAR Prize is awarded to the American singer and composer Stevie Wonder for a unique career as a singer, composer and stage artist." "The 1999 POLAR Prize is awarded to the Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis for a long succession of forceful works, charged with sensitivity, commitment and passion, through which he has come to rank among the most central composers of our century in the realm of art music, exercising within its various fields an influence which cannot be readily overstated."
2000	Bob Dylan and Isaac Stern	USA USA/Ukraine	"—" "Isaac Stern is awarded the 2000 Polar Music Prize for a unique and consummate artistry distinguished by a personal musicianship without compare for over half a century, for his pioneering achievement on behalf of young people the world over, for his patient and energetic commitment to preserving and developing places where music is played, and for his uncompromising attitude concerning the humanistic power of music."
2001	Burt Bacharach, Robert Moog and Karlheinz Stockhausen	USA USA Germany	"The Polar Music Prize for 2001 is being awarded to the American composer, arranger, record producer and pianist, Burt Bacharach, one of the primary architects of contemporary music. Bacharach has been a principal player on the international music scene since his debut in the late 1950′s, producing a host of timeless classics stemming from his infallible feeling for powerful, memorable and unmistakably personal melodies and for brilliantly designed harmony." "Robert Moog is being awarded the Polar Music Prize for 2001 for his design of the MiniMoog, the first compact, easy-to-use synthesizer, which paved the way to the realm of electronic sounds that has revolutionised all genres of music during the past half-century." "Karlheinz Stockhausen is being awarded the Polar Music Prize for 2001 for a career as a composer that has been characterized by impeccable integrity and never-ceasing creativity, and for having stood at the forefront of musical development for fifty years."
2002	Miriam Makeba and Sofia Gubaidulina	South Africa Russia	"The Polar Music Prize for 2002 is being awarded to the South African singer, Miriam Makeba. Miriam Makeba embodied the concept of world music long before the term even existed on the musical map. In the 1960s, her expressive voice drew attention to the musical riches of the African continent. At the same time, she helped in raising awareness of the horrors of the South African apartheid regime in the outside world." "The Polar Music Prize for 2002 is being awarded to Sofia Gubaidulina, whose intensely expressive and deeply personal musical idiom has the ability to speak to an ever-growing audience of listeners all over the world."
2003	Keith Jarrett	USA	"The Polar Music Prize for 2003 is being awarded to the American musician, Keith Jarrett, pianist, composer and master of the field of improvisational music."
2004	B. B. King and György Ligeti	USA Austria/Hungary	"The Polar Music Prize for 2004 is being awarded to the American composer, singer and performer Riley B King for his significant contributions to the blues." "The Polar Music Prize for 2004 is being awarded to the Hungarian-born composer György Ligeti for stretching the boundaries of the musically conceivable, from mind-expanding sounds to new astounding processes, in a thoroughly personal style that embodies both inquisitiveness and imagination."
2005	Gilberto Gil and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau	Brazil Germany	"The Polar Music Prize 2005 is being awarded the Brazilian composer and musician Gilberto Gil for his unflinching creative engagement in bringing to the world the heart and soul of the rich music of Brazil. A unique composer powered by immense talent and curiosity. A unique musical ambassador powered by firm cultural conviction." "The Polar Music Prize for 2005 is awarded to the baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau for his unique artistry in every area of classical singing and for his unparalleled achievements as a penetrating and innovative interpreter of art songs in the German language."
2006	Led Zeppelin and Valery Gergiev	UK Russia	"The 2006 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the British group Led Zeppelin, one of the great pioneers of rock. Their playful and experimental music combined with highly eclectic elements has two essential themes: mysticism and primal energy. These are features that have come to define the genre "hard rock"." "The 2006 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev for the way his unique, electrifying musical skills have deepened and renewed our relationship with the grand tradition; and for how he has managed to develop and amplify the importance of artistic music in these modern, changing times."
2007	Sonny Rollins and Steve Reich	USA	"The 2007 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the American tenor saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins, one of the most powerful and personal voices in jazz for more than 50 years. Sonny Rollins has elevated the unaccompanied solo to the highest artistic level – all characterised by a distinctive and powerful sound, irresistible swing and an individual musical sense of humour. He is still active and the greatest remaining master from one of jazz’s seminal eras." "The 2007 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the American composer and musician Steve Reich. The award recognises his unique ability to use repeats, canon technique and minimal variation of patterns to develop an entire universe of evocative music, endowed with immediate tonal beauty. Inspired by different musical traditions, Steve Reich has transferred questions of faith, society and philosophy into a hypnotic sounding music that has inspired musicians and composers of all genres."
2008	Pink Floyd and Renée Fleming	UK USA	"The 2008 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the British group Pink Floyd for their monumental contribution over the decades to the fusion of art and music in the development of popular culture. Through extensive sonic experimentation, they captured the mood and spirit of a whole generation in their reflections and attitudes. Pink Floyd managed to evolve and create exciting music and albums over the years, When rock’n'roll developed, Pink Floyd was foremost in shaping the sounds that would influence artists for ever." "The American soprano Renée Fleming receives the 2008 Polar Music Prize in recognition of her sublime unparalleled voice and unique stylistic versatility. Connoisseurs and the general public alike have been dazzled by the beauty of her soft and natural voice, which is equally supple in every register and exudes sensitivity in every tone. With apparent ease and brilliant command, she takes on the entire operatic repertoire, from Handel to principal parts in newly penned operas. Concert audiences over the world have all been captivated by Ms. Fleming’s magnetic stage presence. She holds a truly exceptional position among the world’s singers."
2009	Peter Gabriel and José Antonio Abreu & El Sistema	UK Venezuela	"Peter Gabriel is being awarded the Polar Music Prize 2009 for his ground-breaking, outward-looking and boundary-busting artistry. As a composer, artist and person, Peter Gabriel has not only had a significant influence on the development of popular music – he has redefined the very concept. Peter Gabriel does more than just intertwine music, voice and images – his music is at once a megaphone for the global society and its most unflinching critic. Peter Gabriel’s artistry presents us with world music in its most meaningful sense." "The Polar Music Prize 2009 is awarded the Venezuelan conductor, composer and economist José Antonio Abreu. Driven by a vision that the world of classical music can help improve the lives of Venezuela’s children, he created the music network El Sistema, which has given hundreds of thousands the tools to leave poverty. José Antonio Abreu’s successful creation has promoted traditional values, like respect, fellowship and humanity. His achievement shows us what is possible when music is made the common ground and thereby part of people’s everyday lives. Simultaneously, a new hope for the future has been given children and parents, as well as politicians. The vision of José Antonio Abreu serves as a model to us all."
2010	Björk and Ennio Morricone	Iceland Italy	"The Polar Music Prize 2010 is being awarded to Icelandic artist Björk. With her deeply personal music and lyrics, her precise arrangements and her unique voice, Björk has already made an indelible mark on pop music and modern culture at large, despite her relative youth. No other artist moves so freely between avant-garde and pop. With her albums and videos, Björk has taken avant-garde to the top of the charts. She has also always embraced technological advances, combining computers with ancient sounds. Björk has introduced an arctic temperament to popular music and shown how passionate and explosive it can be. Björk is an untameable force of nature, an artist who marches to nobody’s tune but her own." "The Polar Music Prize 2010 is being awarded to Italian composer, arranger and conductor Ennio Morricone. Ennio Morricone’s congenial compositions and arrangements lift our existence to another plane, making the mundane feel like dramatic scenes in full Cinemascope. When, in 1964, Ennio Morricone scored the soundtrack for the Western “A Fistful of Dollars” (“Per un pugno di dollari”), budgetary constraints prevented him from using a full orchestra. Instead, he built up a brand new kind of music that set the tone for half a century of film music, but also influenced and inspired a number of musicians in the spheres of pop, rock and classical music."
2011	Kronos Quartet and Patti Smith	US US	"The Polar Music Prize 2011 is being awarded to American string quartet Kronos Quartet. For almost 40 years, the Kronos Quartet has been revolutionizing the potential of the string quartet genre when it comes to both style and content. The same type of chamber music ensemble – two violins, a viola and a cello – for which Mozart and Beethoven wrote can also be used to comment on international politics, interpret avant-garde rock and incorporate music from every corner of the world." "The Polar Music Prize 2011 is being awarded to American poet and musician Patti Smith. By devoting her life to art in all its forms, Patti Smith has demonstrated how much rock’n'roll there is in poetry and how much poetry there is in rock’n'roll. Patti Smith is a Rimbaud with Marshall amps. She has transformed the way an entire generation looks, thinks and dreams. With her inimitable soul of an artist, Patti Smith proves over and over again that people have the power."

Notes

• A ^ : The Country after a slash means the not natural citizenship of this musician (e.g. departure).

See also

• List of prizes, medals, and awards
• Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
• Birgit Nilsson Prize
• Nobel Prize
• Right Livelihood Award
• Rolf Schock Prizes

External links

• Official website