The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Tallinn.
The orchestra originated from a trio led by Hugo Schütz, who on 18 December 1926 played the first concert broadcast by Tallinn Radio. The ensemble's ranks grew and by 1939 the Radio Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra included 39 performers. In addition to radio concerts, there were live symphony concerts played with guest artists from the Estonia Theatre. In 1939, Olav Roots became the orchestra's music director. The orchestra continued to perform in Tallinn during World War II.
Paul Karp succeeded Roots in 1944; he was followed by Roman Matsov who served as music director until 1963. By 1956 the Orchestra had 90 members. Despite Soviet repertoire policies, Matsov performed sacred works by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. He also conducted the Soviet premieres of works by Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Carl Orff. Tallinn was also typically one of the first cities to hear new symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich, preceded only by the premieres in Moscow and Leningrad.
Olari Elts is the current music director.