The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, one of the principal orchestras of Ukraine, was founded in November 1918 by the Council of Ministers of Ukraine. Initially named the Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra, its first conductor was Oleksander Horilyj. Nathan Rachlin served as the Artistic Director from 1937 to 1962, followed by conductors such as Stefan Turchak, Volodymyr Kozhuchar, Fedir Hlushchenko, Igor Blazhkov, and Theodore Kuchar. The current Artistic Director is Theodore Kuchar, with Volodymyr Sirenko serving as Chief Conductor since 1999.

The orchestra has gained international acclaim and is considered one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe. It has been associated with prestigious conductors like Leopold Stokowski, Igor Markevitch, and Evgeny Svetlanov, and has collaborated with renowned soloists including Artur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, and Montserrat Caballé.

The NSOU has premiered works by composers such as Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich and has released over 100 recordings, many of which have received international acclaim. Notably, their recording of Boris Lyatoshynsky’s Symphonies No. 2 and No. 3 was named "The Best Recording of the Year" by the Australian Broadcasting Company in 1994. The orchestra has also received Grammy nominations for its recordings.

The NSOU has performed in numerous countries, including the United States, Japan, and Germany, solidifying its reputation as a world-class orchestra.