We know Estonia
28.3.2023 | Culture

Arvo Pärt wins prestigious Polar Music Prize

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Priit Grepp

Arvo Pärt wins prestigious Polar Music Prize

 

The Polar Music Prize, Sweden’s most important music prize, was awarded this year to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, Benin singer and songwriter Angélique Kidjo, and Island Records founder and music producer Chris Blackwell.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 23 in Stockholm, which will also be attended by the Swedish royal family.

“The Polar Prize is a very important recognition for a composer. I am very touched and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this,” said Arvo Pärt upon receiving the award.

The Polar Music Prize is awarded to representatives of both classical and pop music, whose achievements in the field of music are outstanding and who have received wide international recognition. The award was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, the former manager of the Swedish pop group ABBA.

Other classical musicians who have previously received the award include Witold Lutosławski, Pierre Boulez, Iannis Xenakis, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Sofia Gubaidulina, György Ligeti, Steve Reich, Kaija Saariaho and the Kronos Quartet.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Arvo Pärt Classical Music Music Prize Polar Music Prize Polar Prize Stig Anderson Swedish Royal family

19.4.2024 | Culture

What’s going on in Tallinn this Saturday

What’s going on in Tallinn this Saturday

Interior 2024, interior design fair at the Estonian Fair Centre from 10 am to 6 pm. J-TSOON5 festival of … Read more

19.4.2024 | Culture

camera icon10
Open House comes to Tartu for the first time

Open House comes to Tartu for the first time

This weekend, Tartu will host an Open House event for the very first time. During the weekend, members of … Read more

18.4.2024 | Culture

MaaMess is the largest countryside fair in Estonia

MaaMess is the largest countryside fair in Estonia

The 30th international agricultural, forestry, gardening and food fair MaaMess begins today, April 18. Around 50,000 people are expected … Read more

18.4.2024 | Culture

Tallinn’s spring Fashion Week begins today

Tallinn’s spring Fashion Week begins today

Tallinn’s annual spring Fashion Week begins today. The two-day event (April 18-19) will bring fresh seasonal fashion trends and … Read more

17.4.2024 | Culture

Mozart with a touch of jazz

Mozart with a touch of jazz

On April 18, the concert series “Aavik in Salzburg” will continue at Mustpeade Maja in Tallinn’s old town. At … Read more

17.4.2024 | Culture

The Prodigy to return to Tallinn in August

The Prodigy to return to Tallinn in August

Legendary British electro-punk band The Prodigy will perform at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn on August 17. Tickets … Read more

16.4.2024 | Culture

Cabaret Circus comes to Noblessner

Cabaret Circus comes to Noblessner

Circum Absurdum’s surrealist cabaret circus will return to the Nobel Hall in Noblessner on April 18, 19, 20 and … Read more

16.4.2024 | Culture

Giselle in the whirlwind of World War II

Giselle in the whirlwind of World War II

A new version of Adolphe Adam’s famous ballet “Giselle” will be shown this spring and summer at the Estonian … Read more