RSNO Announces Igor Yuzefovich as New Principal Guest Leader Posted Tue 30 September 2025
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has appointed Igor Yuzefovich to the position of Principal Guest Leader. Widely regarded as one of the finest leaders in the UK, Yuzefovich will remain one of two leaders of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, splitting his time between the two orchestras.
Yuzefovich first played with the RSNO in its 2017:18 Season and has returned numerous times over the subsequent years, testament to the special relationship between the violinist and the Orchestra. Audiences will have seen Yuzefovich most recently perform in the RSNO’s critically acclaimed performances of Mahler Nine earlier this year under RSNO Music Director Thomas Søndergård.
Born into a musical family, Yuzefovich took up the violin aged five before going on to study at the esteemed Gnessin Music School and then the Peabody Conservatory in the USA. His illustrious career has seen Yuzefovich appointed Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, guest lead many world-renowned orchestras and perform as a soloist around the globe. Yuzefovich regularly gives masterclasses and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.
On his appointment, Principal Guest Leader Igor Yuzefovich said: ‘I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Principal Guest Leader with the RSNO – a storied orchestra with a rich culture of artistic excellence and great spirit under the inspiring direction of Thomas Søndergård. I am sincerely grateful to the musicians for the trust that they’ve placed in me, and together with the brilliant Maya Iwabuchi, I look forward to furthering the Orchestra’s traditions and sound and sharing that energy with audiences across Scotland and beyond.’
RSNO Music Director Thomas Søndergård said: ‘Igor is an exceptional musician, and I’m so pleased he has accepted the position. Igor’s musicianship and leadership will be a real asset for us and it’s a pleasure to see the relationship unfold between him and the Orchestra. I look forward to welcoming Igor to the RSNO family and working with him over the next Season and into the future.’
RSNO Leader Maya Iwabuchi said: ‘I am delighted that Igor has agreed to bring his brilliant musicianship and vast experience in leadership to the RSNO, and I very much look forward to work with him in helping the Orchestra’s continuing ambition to grow artistically whilst remaining culturally relevant to Scotland and around the world.’
Yuzefovich joins his colleagues on the RSNO’s European Tour at the beginning of October which takes the Orchestra to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Belgium. Scottish audiences can see Yuzefovich perform under the baton of RSNO Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Hahn in November at Gershwin & Rachmaninov.