STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil and German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau were named the 2005 winners of the Polar Music Prize on Monday [October 25] for their contributions to music.
The award [www.polarmusicprize.se] was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, manager of Swedish pop group ABBA, through a donation to The Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
Gil, who is also Brazil's culture minister, and Fischer-Dieskau will each receive 1 million kronor (109,865 euros, US$137,043). They are expected to travel to Sweden to collect the award on May 23 from King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The academy cited Gil, 62, for his "unflinching creative engagement in bringing to the world the heart and soul of the rich music of Brazil," and called him a "unique composer powered by immense talent and curiosity. A unique musical ambassador powered by firm cultural conviction."
Born in Salvador, Brazil, he joined his first group, the Desafinados in the 1950s and later gained fame as a commercial jingle writer in the 1960s before branching out into protest songs and joining South America's "Tropicalia" movement, which melded strains of samba, bossa nova and rock.
His first hit single was 1969's "Aquele Abraço." An idol to millions, he was arrested by Brazil's government and moved to Britain where he worked with Pink Floyd, Yes and others, before returning to Brazil in the 1970s.
The 79-year-old Fischer-Dieskau is considered the premiere master of German Lieder, or art song, and his opera singing is regarded as some of the best worldwide. He was cited for "his unique artistry in every area of classical singing and for his unparalleled achievements as a penetrating and innovative interpreter of art songs in the German language."
His first public performance came in 1942 when he sang Schubert's Winterreise, allowing for interruptions by the air raid sirens. He then served in the Germany army and was taken prisoner by the allies.
His career took root professionally in 1947 when he began performing in Badenwieler, Germany, followed by singing engagements in Leipzig and Berlin. In the 1950s, he gave performances in Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Italy, as well as Stockholm. He sang at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1964.
He give his final performance in December 1992 in Munich, but has been teaching and working as a conductor and reciter.
The prize is typically split between pop artists and classical musicians. Previous winners include Paul McCartney, Isaac Stern, Bruce Springsteen, Pierre Boulez and Quincy Jones.
