On 22 April 2025, the Government of Catalonia announced that Josep Pons would receive the Creu de Sant Jordi, in recognition of his outstanding career in musical direction and his contribution to Catalan culture.
Created in 1981, the Creu de Sant Jordi is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the Government of Catalonia. It honours individuals and organisations whose work has provided exceptional civic, social or cultural service to the country.
In its official citation, the Government described Josep Pons as one of today’s most important conductors and a leading figure in classical music. The distinction recognised a career developed at the head of major musical institutions, his regular appearances with leading international orchestras and his work promoting Catalan and Spanish musical heritage throughout the world.
Trained at the Escolania de Montserrat, Josep Pons founded the Teatre Lliure Chamber Orchestra in 1985, an ensemble that played a decisive role in the renewal of contemporary music in Catalonia. In 1992, he was Music Director of the ceremonies for the Barcelona Olympic Games and later served as Music Director of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada and the Spanish National Orchestra. Since 2012, he has led the musical project of the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
The Government also highlighted his extensive recording career, comprising more than fifty albums released by labels including Harmonia Mundi and Deutsche Grammophon, and recognised with international honours such as the Grammy Awards, the Cannes Classical Awards and the Diapason d’Or. His recordings have made an important contribution to the international promotion of composers including Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz, Frederic Mompou, Xavier Montsalvatge and Roberto Gerhard.
The award ceremony took place on 15 May 2025 in the Oval Hall of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, presided over by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, with the participation of the Minister of Culture, Sònia Hernández. Twenty-one individuals and ten organisations representing different areas of Catalan culture and society were honoured during the ceremony.
Through the Creu de Sant Jordi, the Government of Catalonia recognised a career spanning more than four decades, devoted to musical excellence, the development of major orchestral projects, the education of new generations and the international promotion of the country’s culture.
“Receiving the Creu de Sant Jordi is an immense and deeply moving honour. I see it as a collective recognition, shared with everyone who has made this artistic journey possible.”