The Polar Music Prize was presented today for the 19th year in succession. This year’s laureates, the Italian conductor and composer Ennio Morricone and Islandic artist Björk, each received prize money to the amount of one million Swedish kronor (USD 122 000/EUR 92 000.) His Majesty the King of Sweden handed over the awards during a nationally televised ceremony, which took place at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The citations were read by actor Stellan Skargård and Gudmundur Gunnarsson, father of Björk. The laureates also received pieces of art specially made for them by artists Karin Mamma Andersson and Jockum Nordström.The ceremony was honored with celebrity guests as His Majesty the King of Sweden, Her Majesty The Queen, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria, His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, Culture minister Lena Liljeroth Adelsohn, Minister with trade Ewa Björling, Major of Stockholm Sten Nordin, journalists Sasha Frere-Jones, Camilla Lundberg and many more from the artist and culture life.
Petra Nordlund McGahan and Tilde de Paula were the tv-hostesses at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The award ceremony included performances by artists Robyn, Barbara Hendricks, Ane Brun and Wildbirds & Peacedrums. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performed, conducted by Hans Ek.
Press photos from the ceremony can be downloaded here at 9.00 pm tonight.
The Polar Music Prize was broadcast on TV4 earlier today and will be available for viewing here.
The subsequent banquet will be held at the Grand Hotel’s Winter Garden. The toast master is Peter Schéle and artists performing are Me and My Army, Svante Henrysson and Mats Bergström, StayGold meets Adolphson & Falk among others. Interviews with the laureates, gleams from the banquet and highlights of the ceremony will be broadcast on TV4 tonight at 10.40 pm.
