Steve Reich, Sonny Rollins Win Polar Music Prize

Composer Steve Reich and saxophonist/composer Sonny Rollins joined the ranks of Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, and Led Zeppelin on January 25, when they were announced as the recipients of the 2007 Polar Music Prize. Not to be confused with the Polaris Music Prize, the Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by the late ABBA "publisher, lyricist, and manager" Stig "Stikkan" Anderson. According to its website, the Polar Music Prize is given to "individuals, groups, or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music."

The announcement was made in Stockholm at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, which sponsors the Prize. The city will host both musicians during a weekend of "exhibitions, workshops, seminars, film screenings and live performances" called Polar Music Prize Week, and Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf will give them the award at a nationally televised gala at the Stockholm Concert Hall on May 21. Reich and Rollins will both receive one million Swedish Crowns (approximately 140,000 U.S. dollars) as part of the award. The Consul General of Sweden will also host a reception and "press event" in New York City on February 1.

The Polar Music Prize Award Committee's citations explaining the choices of Reich and Rollins are below.

"The Steve Reich Citation

The 2007 Polar Music Prize is awarded to the American composer and musician Steve Reich. The award recognizes 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.

The Sonny Rollins Citation

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 characterized by a distinctive and powerful sound, irresistible swing and an individual musical sense of humor.

He is still active and the greatest remaining master from one of jazz's seminal eras."