THE AWARDING OF THE POLAR MUSIC PRIZE 2012
The Polar Music Prize was presented for the 21st time.
This year\'s Laureates, the leading cellist of our time, Yo-Yo Ma and American songwriter Paul Simon each received prize money to the value of one million Swedish kronor. His Majesty the King of Sweden handed over the awards during a nationally televised ceremony, which took place in the Stockholm Concert Hall.
The citations were read by Swedish opera singer Malena Ernman and guitar virtuoso Georg ”Jojje” Wadenius. The Laureates also received pieces of art especially made for them by artists Karin Mamma Andersson and Jochum Nordström. The ceremony was honoured with celebrity guests such as His Majesty the King of Sweden, Her Majesty The Queen, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria, Culture minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth and many more from the arts, music and cultural industries.
Petra Nordlund McGahan and Tilde de Paula were the hostesses at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The award ceremony included performances by a band led by Georg "Jojje" Wadenius and artists such as Laleh, Loreen, Frida Hyvönen, First Aid Kid and Ale Möller. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Hans Ek.
The subsequent banquet will be held at the Grand Hotel’s Winter Garden this evening. The toast master is Peter Schéle and the artists performing are the Brass Sextett led by Hans-Göran Johansson, folk musicians Lena Jonsson och Emma Ahlberg, cellist Johanna Sjunnesson and the Brazilian singer Simone Morino with Anders von Hofsten and Os Lourinhos.
Polar Music Prize broadcast will be available for viewing on www.polarmusicprize.org with interviews with the Laureates, key moments from the banquet and highlights from the ceremony.
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