Patti Smith and Kronos Quartet win Polar Music Prize
Poet/singer-songwriter Patti Smith and American string group Kronos Quartet have received the prestigious Polar Music Prize from Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf this year. Both musicians accepted their awards, an one million kronor (£96,555) prize at the ceremony in Stockholm yesterday evening.
Smith, generally considered the godmother of punk, said she was “humbled and inspired” to receive the prize.
The Polar is the highest award in Swedish music. Founded by Stig Anderson, the manager of Swedish pop group Abba in 1989, it is usually shared by a pop artist and a classical musician. It is given to individuals, groups or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music. Last year’s prize was shared by Ennio Morricone and Bjork.