Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1951 by Samuel Samosud, the outstanding conductor of Theatre "Bolshoi", as a radio orchestra, playing during the transmissions of opera performances. Under present name which it got in 1953, the orchestra was famous for the first performances of contemporary Soviet works and concert performances of operas rarely played in the Soviet Union. Since 1958 Kiryl Kondrashin has begun a permanent cooperation with the orchestra, and has became its music director two years later. Under his direction (until 1975) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra have started intensive artistic journeys, taking part in festivals in Soviet Union, Hungary, Yugoslavia, France and Great Britain.

The worldwide career was continued under the direction of Dymitri Kitajenko (1976-1990) and Wasilij Sinajski (1990-1998). The orchestra, have then prepared first Russian performances of e.g. VIII Mahler´s Symphony, Symphony "Turangalîla" Messiaen, Puccini´s Messa di Gloria Pucciniego. The performances of Moscow Symphony Orchestra could be listened by music lovers in United States, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Germany. It accompanied many prominent soloists such as Van Cliburn, Isaac Stern, Maksim Wengierow, Cyprien Katsaris, Jefim Bronfman, Wladimir Wiardo. The orchestra was conducted by Igor Strawiński, Zubin Mehta and Igor Markevitch.

The Orchestra recorded over 100 CDs, from which many was awarded with international awards. It is still performing on the most prestigious music festivals having in its history over 5000 concerts.

From 1998 its music director and the first conductor is Jurij Simonow.