In Pécs, Johann Georg Lickl who moved here from Vienna founded the Musicians’ Association in 1811, and ever since has existed the symphonic orchestra of the city, though in different names. The Symphonic Orchestra of Pécs was institutionalised as independent entity in 1984 directed by conductor Tamás Breitner. From 1989, British conductor Howard Williams was musical director of the orchestra, succeeded by Nicolás Pasquet from Uruguay, then Williams returned in 1997 for three years. Between August 2000 and September 2009, the orchestra was led by musical director Zsolt Hamar.

The orchestra continues its professional career titled Pannon Philharmonic - Pécs from 1st January 2010. The director of the orchestra is Zsolt Horváth who graduated as trumpet artist as well as economist. The proprietor of Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra is the Municipality of Pécs. As the new name represents, we have special vocation for performances in the cities of the region besides subscription series and concerts in Pécs.

In the recent years, the Orchestra has performed subscription concerts in Pécs and Budapest inviting prominent guest artists, it initiates innovative co-operations involving different branches of arts, as well as organises grand series of jubilee events entitled OVERTURE in tribute to the 200th anniversary of its establishment. The concerts include World Stars in Pécs series with internationally celebrated foreign and Hungarian artists: conductors like Oliver von Dohnányi, Olari Elts, Gilbert Varga, Steven Mercurio, and Maxim Vengerov, and soloists like Henning Kraggerud violinist, Fazil Say pianist, Hadady lászló oboist, Patricia Kopatschinskaja violinist, and Roby Lakatos violinist.

The Pannon Philharmonic gave successful concert tours in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States and Canada among others. Included in the subscription series of Vienna Philharmonic, the Orchestra performed with compelling success in Konzerthaus Vienna in Spring 2006, and played a solemn gala concert in Stephansdom in remembrance of 1956 Hungarian Revolution. In 2010, the Orchestra will perform in Essen, it will return to Vienna with a concert in Spring 2011, as well as it is a frequent guest in cities of Croatia.

Realising partnerships in several international projects, the Pannon Philharmonic is a founding partner and residing orchestra of Opera Competition and Festival with Mezzo Television, and has performed with Plácido Domingo for various occasions, like at Operalia World Opera Competition in 2009.

The Orchestra produced a numerous recordings in the last two decades. Three years ago, the first concert of the season in Budapest was recorded on CD titled The Water, then it was jointly published by the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra and the Palace of Arts so that the sale revenue was donated to the victims of cunami in the Far East. Also in those years, a Mahler album came out published by Hungaroton including Gustav Mahler’s symphonic poem titled Titans in its original Weimar version composed in 1893. Since this version had not been recorded in studio ever before, it was a world premiere of the piece. During the last couple of years, the Orchestra collaborated in the Belgian publication of the works of Jef van Hoof, contemporary composer of Belgium.

The Orchestra received Artisjus Prize in 1991, Pro Communitate Award of the City of Pécs in 1996, Award of Arts of Baranya County in 1997, and Bartók-Pásztory Prize in 1998.

In 2007, the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra gained the Barany County regional Prime Prize. The Orchestra is the Ambassador of Pécs2010 European Capital of Culture programme from 2007, and plays a significant role in the Capital of Culture year. The new concert hall of Pécs, which will provide the prominent orchestra with an infrastructure of European standards, will open its gates at the end of 2010 with the artistic direction of Pannon Philharmonic.