Russian maestro Yuri Temirkanov was given a warm Peabody welcome at the Feb. 8 reception held to honor his appointment as a distinguished artist-in-residence in the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Nearly 100 Peabody faculty, students and friends gathered in the school's Griswold Hall to greet the celebrated new music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Temirkanov, who spoke through an interpreter, said he was "truly honored" with the title and looked forward to his relationship with the music school. Robert Sirota, director of the Peabody Institute, said in his introduction that he hopes Temirkanov will be able to find the time to occasionally conduct the Peabody Symphony Orchestra as well as meet with conducting students.

Temirkanov, Sirota and Calman Zamoiski, chairman of the BSO board of trustees and trustee emeritus of the university.