Overview
- The Ernst von Siemens Foundation named the violagambist and conductor the 2026 laureate, an award widely described as the 'Nobel of music'.
- The prize will be presented on May 23 at Munich’s Prinzregententheater with a recital by Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya conducted by Savall.
- The citation praises his interpretation, research and dissemination of early music, his commitment to education, intercultural dialogue and humanist values, and his role in preserving European musical heritage.
- Savall’s legacy includes founding Hespèrion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert des Nations, creating the Alia Vox label, and advancing training through the Centre Internacional de Música Antiga and its YOPCA project.
- Local coverage reports he is the first Catalan recipient of the prize, which in 1985 honored Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia.