MUSIC NEWS - Singer Peter Gabriel and Venezuelan composer Jose Antonio Abreu have won this year's Polar Music Prize. They each will receive one million kroner (approx $127,000 US) from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and receive their awards by King Carl XVI Gustaf at a gala ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on August 31, 2009. According to the prize committee, Gabriel had "not only had a significant influence on the development of popular music - he has redefined the very concept".

The "Polar" is Sweden's biggest music award and is shared between pop and classical musicians. Previous winners of the awards, which were founded by ABBA manager Stig Anderson, include Pink Floyd, Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Sir Paul McCartney. See prize announcement video below (Gabriel portion at 8:49)