Filarmonica de Stat Transilvania

Cluj's symphonic tradition is far older than the institution: it was kept alive by the orchestra of the first town theatre, founded in 1792, then by the Music Society and the Music Circle. Between the wars, symphonic concerts were given by the orchestra of the Romanian Opera, that of the Hungarian Theatre, and an orchestra of the city's Jewish community.

In 1947 there was a first attempt at a concert institution, Filarmonica Ardealul. It lasted two seasons.

The present philharmonic was founded on 1 September 1955, with 75 musicians chosen under the supervision of maestro Wilhelm Demian. Antonin Ciolan was appointed conductor, and the first concert took place on 4 December 1956.

Then: the Chamber Orchestra in 1966, under Mircea Cristescu. Its own festival, Toamna Muzicală Clujeană, from 1965. The choir, founded in 1972 under Sigismund Toduță and conducted by Dorin Pop, then Florentin Mihăescu and Cornel Groza.

The 2026/2027 season opens on 25 September, with guest soloists Melody Moore, Adorján Pataki and Sándor Balla.

One thing to know before searching the map: “filarmonica cluj” draws 2,400 searches a month, but the institution has no listing of its own. The search returns the halls it plays in — Auditorium Maximum, the Students' Culture House, the Music Academy's hall. We could not confirm the address of its offices, so we do not publish one.