Polar Music Prize
The Polar Music Prize is a Swedish international award founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, best known as the manager of the Swedish band ABBA, with a donation to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.[1] The award is annually given to one contemporary musician and one classical musician.[2] Exceptions were made in 2001, when it was awarded to three musicians (one composer, one contemporary musician and one inventor), and 2003, when it was awarded only to one musician. 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".[3] The prize has been called the "Nobel Prize of Music" in Sweden.[4][5][6]
Not to be confused with Polaris Music Prize.Polar Music Prize
International recognition of excellence in the world of music
Sweden
Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation
1 million Swedish krona
1992
The awards were first presented in 1992.[7] The recipients were Sir Paul McCartney and the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each of these four Laureates were awarded 1 million kr (approximately US$120,000 at 2016 rates, US$106,000 in 2019, US$94,000 in 2024)[8][9][10] presented by HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall in June every year. The Polar Music Prize is regarded as Sweden's foremost musical honour.[11] The prize is overseen by the Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation, which includes members of Anderson's family and representatives of SKAP – the Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and the Swedish Performing Rights Society.[12][13] A committee of musicians, other experienced members of the music industry, and members of Anderson's family selects the prize recipients from nominations submitted by representatives of several international music industry organizations, such as the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance.[12][13][14] The prize amount is raised from revenue from the donation, while sponsors fund the ceremony. In June 2018, it was reported by Swedish public service radio that the Polar Prize organization had made large financial losses for several years.[15]
Paul McCartney was the first winner in 1992 and one of two people (the other being Chuck Berry) who didn't receive the award in person.
Witold Lutosławski was the first classical musician to win the award in 1993.
Joni Mitchell was the first female award recipient in 1996.
The English band Led Zeppelin became the first musical group to win the award in 2006.
Robert Moog became the first inventor to win the award for the synthesizer MiniMoog in 2001.
Gilberto Gil - the winner in the contemporary category in 2005, receives the prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
Ennio Morricone – the only film composer who has won the award, 2010
Björk – the winner in the contemporary category in 2010
Kronos Quartet – winners in the classical category in 2011
Patti Smith – the winner in the contemporary category in 2011
Paul Simon – the winner in the contemporary category in 2012
Yo-Yo Ma – the winner in the classical category in 2012
