Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Quincy Jones

See the video from the prize ceremony

Nikolaus Harnoncourt ranks today as a pioneer of the revival of interest, during recent decades, in early music performed on authentic instruments. But he is also an independent ground-breaker who is constantly discovering new dimensions of the classics.

Starting as a cellist in the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, Nikolaus Harnoncourt founded the Wiener Concentus Musicus as early as 1953. Its repertoire, based on historical instruments, came to span from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. One of the first milestones was Bach´s Brandenburg Concertos with authentic instrumentation (1962), followed eventually by his complete choral compositions. Since then, Concentus Musicus, under Harnoncourt´s leadership, has become an established concept within the profound artistic renewal of performing practice concerning the early repertoire.

Seminal interpretations include, not least, Harnoncourt´s acclaimed performances of cycles of the operas of Monteverdi and Mozart, as well as widely observed joint productions of works by Bach, Rameau and others, together with Swedish groups like Musica Holmiae and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir.

Cogently reflected, dedicated concert activities coupled with outstanding research achievement - also resulting in a number of books, such as Das Musizieren mit alten Instrumente. Einflüsse der Spieltechnik auf die Interpretation (published in 1967) and Musik als Klangerede (published in 1982) - have earned Nikolaus Harnoncourt an eminent position in the revival of early music. He has paved the way for a view of interpretation which in our own time and in a radical - many would say: provocative - manner has opened doors to a fresh understanding of the Romantic repertoire as well.

Nikolaus Harnoncourt Web Site:
www.steiermark.com/steirer/harnoncourt

The 1994 Polar Music Prize goes to American composer, arranger and producer Quincy Jones, a boundary-transcending musical magician

Quincy Jones' unique talents as a multi-cultural catalyst are rooted in an unshakeable love for the blues music of black people. His career, spanning nearly half a century, has been one continuous voyage of discovery through ever-new landscapes of rhythm and sound.

Quincy Jones is the divinely talented arranger who, with his blend of curiosity, stylistic assurance and ingenuity, helped artists like Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra to rise to new heights.

He is the man behind such captivating compositions as The Midnight Sun Never Sets and the man whose idiosyncratic film music in the hectic 1960s renewed the musical palette of the Hollywood directors.

When the implements of electronic music came on the scene, Quincy Jones opened the way to a completely new world of sound. He was the visionary who could capture the great public, creating Thriller, a record-breaking success, for Michael Jackson, but also that universal sing-along favourite We Are The World, which became a worldwide measure of humanitarian aid under the banner of music.

Few music creators can rival Quincy Jones' capacity for amalgamating the Afro-American cultural heritage of jazz with the popular music of our own time.