Hungarian symphony orchestra based in Budapest. Members of the National Theatre orchestra began giving Philharmonic Concerts in 1853, in the midst of a period of political repression in Hungary. Ferenc Erkel was the concerts’ initial conductor; he continued as music director until 1871, four years after the Philharmonic Society was established. By then composer Franz Liszt was traveling regularly to Budapest and, among other activities, appearing as guest conductor with the orchestra, and his influence was important in establishing Budapest as an important musical centre. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.