St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestras and Tours

Music Director, Yuri Temirkanov

The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Russia's oldest symphonic ensemble, was founded in 1882. In that year, on the Order of Alexander III, the Court Musical Choir was established - the prototype of today’s Honoured Collective of the Russian Federation. Thus, in 2007, the orchestra celebrated its 125th anniversary. The Musicians' Choir was founded to perform in the Royal presence; at receptions, official ceremonies and at balls, plays and concerts at the Royal Court. The pinnacle of this type of activity was the participation of the choir in 1896 in the coronation ceremony of Nicholas II. In 1897 the Court Choir became the Court Orchestra, its musicians having been transferred from the military and given the same rights as other actors of royal theatres. In the early 20th century the orchestra was permitted to perform at commercial concerts for the general public. Tchaikovsky conducted the premiere of his Symphony No 6 (“Pathetique”) with the orchestra shortly before his death. The series of concerts Orchestral Collections of New Music saw the first Russian performances of Richard Strauss’ symphonic poems Ein Heldenleben and Also Sprach Zarathustra, Mahler’s First Symphony, Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony and Skryabin’s Poem of Ecstasy. Among the conductors were world renowned-musicians such as Richard Strauss, Arthur Nikisch, Alexander Glazunov and Serge Koussevitsky.....

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