Ferdinand Klinda, born on March 12, 1929, in Košice, former Czechoslovakia, is a distinguished Slovak organist and pedagogue. He pursued his musical education at the Conservatory in Bratislava and the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, where he studied organ under Ernest Rigler-Skalický. Klinda also attended master classes with notable musicians such as Jiří Reinberger and Johann Ernst Köhler.

In addition to his musical education, Klinda studied at the Medical Faculty of the Comenius University from 1947 to 1952. He balanced a dual career as a physician, serving as the head of an isotope unit at the Haematological Clinic of the Faculty Hospital of the Comenius University from 1954 to 1989, and as an organist.

Klinda's contributions to Slovak culture are significant, particularly in the realm of organ music. He was instrumental in promoting the organ as a concert instrument in Slovakia, a task he undertook amidst ideological challenges that associated the organ primarily with Christian churches. His efforts included the education of future generations of organists, the construction and preservation of organs, and the initiation of organ concert cycles.

As a concert artist, Klinda performed extensively both domestically and internationally, gracing stages across Europe, the USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Australia. He participated in prestigious music festivals such as the Prague Spring, Wiener Festwochen, and the George Enescu Festival in Bucharest, among others. Klinda collaborated with numerous orchestras and conductors, enhancing his reputation as a representative of Slovak organ music on the global stage.

Klinda's discography includes numerous recordings, showcasing his mastery of the organ with works by composers such as Franz Liszt, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Joseph Haydn. His accolades include the Frico Kafenda Award (1968), the Jozef Kresánek Award (2001), and the Order of Ľudovít Štúr, 2nd Class (2008), recognizing his exceptional contributions to culture and education.