The Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, also known as the Symphony Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, was established in 1931. Initially, it began as a concert ensemble known as the Leningrad Radio Symphony Orchestra. Throughout its history, the orchestra has been noted for its versatility and mobility, collaborating with a wide range of conductors such as O. Fried, F. Stiedry, A. Gauk, and E. Mravinsky, among others.

During World War II, the Leningrad Radio Symphony was the only orchestra that remained in the besieged city of Leningrad. Despite severe hardships, the orchestra famously performed the Leningrad premiere of Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony on August 9, 1942, under the baton of Karl Eliasberg. This performance has been hailed for its authenticity and has become a significant part of the orchestra's legacy.

In 1953, the orchestra was granted the status of a philharmonic orchestra. It has since been led by notable conductors such as N. Rabinovich, K. Eliasberg, and A. Jansons, who took the orchestra on its first foreign tour in 1965. The orchestra has collaborated with eminent musicians and composers, including I. Stravinsky, B. Britten, S. Richter, and D. Shostakovich.

Under the leadership of Yuri Temirkanov from 1968, the orchestra expanded its repertoire and gained international recognition, touring extensively in Europe, Japan, and the USA. From 1977 to 2018, Alexander Dmitriev led the orchestra, during which it received the "academic" title in 1985 and premiered works by various composers, adding to its rich discography.

The orchestra continues to participate in prestigious international festivals and tours across Europe, maintaining its status as one of the distinguished orchestras in Saint Petersburg. Sergei Stadler currently serves as the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.