The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1882 and is Russia 's oldest symphony orchestra.

After the Russian revolution it became a state orchestra, and after St. Petersburg was renamed Leningrad the orchestra was renamed the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. However, In 1991 both the orchestra and its home city returned to their original names. Today it is an internationally recognized symphony orchestra.

Evgeny Mravinsky was the orchestra's Music Director from 1938 to 1988. The orchestra has been particularly associated with the music of Shostakovich and premiered eight of his symphonies.