In recognition of his relationship with the University of Glasgow, Russian conductor Mr Aleksandr Lazarev has been awarded an Honorary Professorship, in the School of Slavonic, Central and East European Studies.

The award was presented by the Principal of the University of Glasgow, Sir Muir Russell, at a reception held for Mr Lazarev last night to mark the conclusion of his tenure as Principal Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO).

Sir Muir Russell said the following during his speech last night to Lazarev:

"What I want to do tonight is to emphasise the importance that we in this University attach to the relationship you have established with us through our colleagues here in Slavonic Studies within the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and in the School of Slavonic, Central and East European Studies.

We very much appreciate the workshops you have conducted with some of our students in Slavonic Studies, and we look forward with great hope and enthusiasm to the prospect of that relationship continuing when you are back in Russia. The prospects are very exciting, given your wide experience of teaching and research activities and your international cultural contacts, and we are proud of this continuing association, in which we believe that this evening's event is only a very early and preliminary part."

Aleksandr Lazarev has been the Principal Conductor of the RSNO since 1997 and has a worldwide reputation in classical music.

Mr Lazarev himself comments:

'I am delighted to receive this honour. The experiences I have had in my eight years as Principal Conductor of the RSNO are reward enough, but I realise too that others have valued what we have achieved in that time. Scotland should be proud to have such talent.'

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First published: 19 April 2005