Jordi Savall has rejected his government’s Premio Nacional de Música 2014 (the National Music Prize) joining a growing list of Spanish artists choosing to reject or return their awards. He took the opportunity to hit out at politicians accusing them of “grave incompetence” in the defence and promotion of art and artists.

The 73 year-old popular Catalan early music pioneer and peace activist, last seen earlier this year in Sydney and Melbourne with his moving Jerusalem Project, received the prestigious award on Wednesday, but in an open letter to the jury, and in particular to Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, José Ignacio Wert, explained that to accept it would be “betraying my principles and my most intimate convictions”.

Savall admitted that the prize had filled him with “great joy” although, he added, that it felt somewhat belated after 40 years of passionate musical advocacy. He felt, however, that as the award was coming from the Spanish government he had to refuse given their record of “dramatic disinterest” in the arts and their “grave incompetence in the defence and promotion of the arts and artists.” In particular he accused the Ministry of Culture of ignoring the ancient Hispanic musical heritage and...