The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1949 as the first Slovak professional state symphony orchestra, based in the capital, Bratislava. Its chief conductors have included Václav Talich, Ludovit Rajter, and Libor Pešek. From 1991 to 2001 Ondrej Lenárd was principal conductor and music director. In the 2003/2004 season Jiří Bělohlávek acted as artistic director, and in 2004 Vladimír Válek became principal donductor. In September 2007 the position of principal conductor was taken up by Peter Feranec, with Leoš Svárovský as permanent guest conductor. Since 2009 the principal conductor of the orchestra has been Emmanuel Villaume. The orchestra has worked with a number of distinguished conductors and soloists, and in 1996, after a long-term successful collaboration with the orchestra, Zdeněk Košler was awarded the title of honorary principal conductor in memoriam. The orchestra is a regular guest at major European music festivals. On tour it has performed in 18 European countries, in Japan, on Cyprus, in Turkey and in the United States. It has recorded extensively for Naxos as well as for other labels, national and international, and for radio, television and film companies.

Photo courtesy of Slovak Philharmonic