The idea of creating the State Symphony Radio and Television Orchestra came in 1978 as an outgrowth of the need for the symphonic repertoire of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to be broadcast throughout Russia for the benefit of its citizens. It was decided the Orchestra should broadcast performances on a weekly basis, a concept based upon the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s very successful radio series in the United Kingdom.

The Orchestra expanded its activities into film work for Russian, European and American feature film productions as well as Russian television soundtracks. It has also done collaborative work with European television, including projects with the Italian RAI and German ZDF.

In 1980 the Orchestra created a major subscription series in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall. This subscription series of 36 weeks has continued successfully since its inaugural season.