Esa-Pekka Salonen and Nile Rodgers receive the Polar Prize

Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the recipients of the Polar Prize. MATTI MATIKAINEN

Now it’s time to go to the market again. Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen65, and founder of the band Chic Nile Rogers71, has been nominated for the Polar Prize music award.

The CEO of Polar Music Prize explains Marie Ledin describes Salo as an “innovator”.

– His artistic curiosity, creativity and forward-looking approach to composing and conducting pave the way for classical music. He is a master of tone, perfectly balancing sound and emotion to produce and conduct music that moves the listener deeply, the statement reads.

Both will receive their award in front of Swedish royalty on March 21 at Stockholm’s Grand Hotel. Billboard-magazine, this year’s awardees will also receive a cash prize of one million kroner, i.e. approximately 89,321 euros. Among others, they have received the prestigious award Paul McCartney, Elton John and Bob Dylan.

Salonen is currently the music director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Before that, he has worked as a conductor in the philharmonic orchestra both in Los Angeles and London and in the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Salonen was previously honored at the Polar Music Prize gala with a medal, which he received after he stepped aside from his position as conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Rogers, on the other hand, has produced hits for numerous artists, such as For David Bowie, For Diana Ross and For Madonna. He became famous after forming the band Chic with Bernard Edwards. The band’s hits include, among others Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah).