On Saturday 23 February 2013, the University of Leicester awarded Vladimir Ashkenazy the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music. With this, his name appears alongside conductors including Sir John Barbirolli, and Sir Colin Davis, and other musicians including Benjamin Britten, Sir Michael Tippett, Sir Malcolm Arnold, Dame Joan Sutherland and Dame Janet Baker.

He has worked with the Philharmonia Orchestra from the beginning of his career as a pianist, conductor and occasionally both. In 2000, he was given the title of Conductor Laureate of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and has since spearheaded concert series including Rachmaninoff Revisited (2002), and Prokofiev and Shostakovich Under Stalin (2003).

Professor Sir Robert Burgess, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester: “Mr Ashkenazy is receiving this honour on account of his talent as a conductor, his successful career and his connection with the Philharmonia which has resulted in him developing a relationship with the University of Leicester.

Vladimir Ashkenazy: "I've been to Leicester many times over the course of my career and have always enjoyed the contact with wonderful and very appreciative audiences. I'm delighted and truly honoured to receive this degree and I look forward to many more visits to Leicester in the future!"