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The Polar Music Prize Marks 25 Years and Announces Chuck Berry and Peter Sellars as the 2014 Laureates
It has been announced today that the 2014 Polar Music Prize, the world's most prestigious music accolade, will be awarded to two Americans: Chuck Berry , rock 'n' roll legend, and Peter Sellars , the American opera and theatre director. Both Laureates will be presented with their prizes by King Carl XVI of Sweden at a gala ceremony in Stockholm's Concert Hall on 26 August.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400528-polar-music-prize-marks-25-years-2014-laureates
The Polar Music Prize, the equivalent for music of the Nobel Prizes, was founded by Stig "Stikkan" Anderson, 25 years ago. Anderson, who was the publisher, lyricist and manager of ABBA, named the prize after his legendary record label Polar Music and created it to 'break down musical boundaries by bringing together people from all the different worlds of music.' This year's Laureates epitomize this aim: Chuck Berry is universally acknowledged as the pioneer of rock 'n' roll, releasing a string of classic songs such as 'Maybellene', 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Rock & Roll Music' and 'Johnny B Goode'.
Peter Sellars is an acclaimed American opera, theatre and festival director. He is seen as a visionary artist renowned for his innovative re-interpretations of classic works. Sellars has directed more than 100 productions across the US and Europe . One critic said of Sellars: "There's likely no-one so inspired or exuberantly creative as Sellars directing opera at the moment."
The first Polar Music Prize Laureate was Sir Paul McCartney , who said on receiving the Prize:
Since then the list of Laureates reads like a who's who of modern and classical music, including many of the American music legends such as: Joni Mitchell , Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Simon , B.B. King , Renee Fleming , Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Patti Smith , Bruce Springsteen , Ray Charles and Quincy Jones .
Musicians from all genres and from around the world, regard The Polar Music Prize as one of the highest accolades that can be bestowed on them in their career. Patti Smith said, in an emotional acceptance speech:
The 2014 Laureates follow in the great tradition of the Prize.
Keith Richards , speaking about Chuck Berry in his autobiography, said:
The board of the Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation includes representatives from the Stig Anderson family, SKAP (The Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) and STIM (The Swedish Performing Rights Society). The task of scrutinizing nominations submitted and selecting the Laureates is undertaken by an Award Committee comprising experienced members of the music industry, representatives from the Anderson family, musicians, and previous Laureates. Laureates each receive a specially designed trophy and cash prize of £100,000 (US$ 150,000)
Polar Music Talks also takes place on the 25 August and is a day of conversations and interviews, with a focus on creativity and curiosity. The event aims to build bridges between culture, medicine, technology, business and music of all types.
Announcement video and photos are available for downloading from http://www.polarmusicprize.org
For further information contact:
Karen McNamara , LD Communications
Karen.McNamara@LDCommunications.co.uk
Kate.Etteridge@LDCommunications.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)207-439-7222
Video:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400528-polar-music-prize-marks-25-years-2014-laureates