MyGlasgow News

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr Stuart Campbell after a short illness, aged 68.

Dr Campbell worked as Lecturer in Music, University Organist and Director of Chapel Music in the University of Glasgow from 1975 to 2000.

He contributed greatly to the collegiate musical life of the University and was also a very popular conductor of the University Choral Society.

Dr Campbell maintained his connections with the University right up to his death, working part-time as Music subject tutor in the Centre for Open Studies. He was also an Honorary Research Fellow in Music at the University.

Dr Campbell studied Russian and Music at the University of Edinburgh and gained his PhD at the University of Glasgow. He held the diplomas of Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and Associate of the Royal College of Music.

In a joint statement, Professor John Butt, Gardiner Professor of Music, and Professor Bill Sweeney, Professor of Music, at the School of Culture & Creative Arts, said: “We are so sad to hear of Stuart’s untimely death. He was a much-loved lecturer who inspired his students and colleagues in his love of music and musical performance. His passionate identification with Russian music always shone through, but never blunted his critical awareness and close insight.

“We will miss his good humour, generosity of spirit and the massive contribution he made to Glasgow’s and Scotland’s musical life. Our condolences go out to his wife and family. He will be greatly missed.”

He was a founder of the choir Russkaya Cappella. Along with his wife Dr Svetlana Zvereva, he was joint musical director of the chamber choir which is based in Glasgow. Through Russkaya Cappella, Dr Campbell combined his love of both Russian and music to help explore and promote the rich repertory of Russian choral music.

Dr Margaret Tejerizo, a Senior Lecturer in Russian, School of Modern Language and Cultures, said: “We heard the very sad news that Stuart Campbell has died after a period of poor health. In the Russian section we recall his long connections with us, from the days of the late Professor Peter Henry when Stuart was a frequent guest lecturer on the topic of Russian music, one of his many research interests.

“Stuart, in fact began our recent centenary celebrations when he gave the Alexander Lazarev Lecture in April 2016 and he conducted the final event on 7 December 2017, a concert by the choir which he ran with his wife Svetlana.

Above all Stuart will be remembered for his kindness, his generosity of spirit and for the huge impact that he made on Russian culture both in the University and within the city of Glasgow.”

In 2016, Dr Campbell along with Dr Tejerizo were recognised by Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh Andrey Pritsepov for their contribution to Russian culture in the UK.

Dr Campbell compiled, translated and annotated two volumes of an anthology of criticism (Russians on Russian Music) published by Cambridge University Press in 1994 and 2003.

He contributed entries on Russian topics to the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, and on Russian and Scottish topics to Die neue Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart, the dictionary’s German equivalent.

A book about Alexander Kastalsky (1856-1926), by Dr Campbell and Dr Zvereva, as premier expert scholars on the subject, brought to the attention of the UK aspects of an important Russian musical tradition little-known in the West.

It is perhaps relevant to note, at a time when the University has been extensively celebrating the centenary of The Great War, that, in Spring 2017, one of Dr Campbell’s last major activities was to record, in the University Chapel, Kastalsky's magnum opus, The Requiem for Fallen Brothers. This recording, with Russkaya Cappella choir and the strings of Scottish Opera's McOpera ensemble, is a celebration of the fallen of the First World War allies, and a War Requiem 40 years earlier than Benjamin Britten's well-known War Requiem.

The CD will soon appear on a major label in the United States and will be available also in the UK, along with the premiere recording of a major American work, The Mass by Roger Sessions, and will be also available on iTunes. A launch concert is in preparation.

From 2001, Dr Campbell was assistant organist and choirmaster at  St Bride’s Scottish Episcopal Church  in the West End of Glasgow, and was always in demand as a deputy and accompanist.

He was a member of Editorial Board of the Critical Edition of the Complete Works of Sergei Rachmaninoff and a trustee of Musica Scotica.

He is survived by his wife and family. Dr Campbell's funeral service will be held at St Bride's on Friday 16th February at 11am.

---

First published: 6 February 2018