The Kazakh State Philharmonic named after Zhambyl is the cradle of the national musical art. It was established on January 14, 1935.

During the formation of the republics of the Soviet Union, great attention was paid to the support of musical culture, art, and the creation of national art collectives, which led to the creation of the Philharmonic Society in Alma-Ata.

The first director and artistic director of the Philharmonic was Akhmet Zhubanov is an outstanding musicologist, composer, conductor, People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, public and statesman, author of monographs on Kazakh folk music — "Strings of Centuries" and "Nightingales of Centuries".

After the departure of A.Zhubanov, the Philharmonic was headed by representatives of culture, among whom were outstanding musicians who, with their creative work, contributed to the further development and flourishing of the creative organization. Their names have entered the history of Kazakh musical art: E.Brusilovsky, A. Kaplambekov, M. Koishibaev, S.Mukhamedzhanov, E. Rakhmadiev, B. Amangeldiev, M. Bestybaev, T. Ibraev, A. Dautbaev, T. Alpiev, M. Uteuov, K. Urazgaliev.

Initially, the Philharmonic united within its walls an ensemble of dombrists consisting of 14 musicians, a choir and a large group of soloists. The soloists of the Philharmonic were famous artists who brought fame and entered the history of Kazakh culture — Dina Nurpeisova, Nausha Bokeikhanov, Kali Zhantleuov, Okap Kabigozhin, Lukpan Mukhitov, Rustembek Omarov, Uriya Turdykulova, Garifulla Kurmangaliyev, Kosymzhan Babakov, brothers Rishat and Muslim Abdullins.

Popularization of traditional music and works by Kazakhstani composers is the main principle of the music policy, which the Philharmonic has been maintaining for 89 years of its activity. To expand the repertoire policy with works of world classics and folk professional music, new artistic groups are being formed in the Philharmonic - symphonic, brass, chamber, folklore and ethnographic orchestras, choral chapel, string quartet, quintet of woodwind instruments.

Truly, Masters of their craft worked in these creative teams. Their names are widely known, and they are the pride of Kazakh professional music. This is Nurgisa Tlendiev, Fuat Mansurov, Ermek Serkebayev, Bibigul Tulegenova, Magauiya Khamzin, Shamgon Kazgaliyev, Anatoly Molodov, Nurgali Nusipzhanov, Anatoly Kelberg, Yuri Klushkin, Timur Mynbayev, Temir Tkishev, Karshymbai Akhmediyarov, Tulepbergen Abdrashev, Ayman Musakhajayeva, Gulzhamilya Kadyrbekova, Zhania Aubakirova, Gauhar Murzabekova, Galiya Moldakarimova, Beyimbet Demeuov, Gabit Nesipbayev, Aida Ayupova, Zhanar Suleymanova and many others.

Thanks to their selfless work, the Kazakh national performing school was established, which is widely known outside our country. Today, performers and art groups of the Kazakh State Philharmonic named after Zhambyl perform in the most prestigious concert halls in the world.

The Philharmonic played a great role in promoting the bright original works of Russian composers, who made an invaluable contribution to the development of the musical art of the republic with their creativity. The Philharmonic's stage presents different genres — from folk music, which is performed on folk instruments to large symphonic forms. Today they are the decoration of the treasury of Kazakh musical art.

In the repertoire of philharmonic groups and soloists, works by traditional composers are Abai, Birzhan Sal, Jayau Musa, Dauletkerei, Kurmangazy, Ykylas, Mukhit, Baluan Sholak, Akan—Sery, Kazangap, Sugir and works by Kazakhstani composers who made up the color of Kazakh professional music — Mukan Tulebayev, Akhmet Zhubanov, Yevgeny Brusilovsky, Latif Khamidi, Kapan Musin, Ablahat Espayev, Bakhytzhan Baykadamov, Sydyk Mukhamedzhanov, Nurgisa Tlendiev, Kuddus Kuzhamyarov, Makalim Koishibayev, Gaziza Zhubanova, Yerkegali Rakhmadiev, Anatoly Bychkov, Georgy Grizbil, Bazarbai Zhumaniyazov, Mansur Sagatov, Kenzhebek Kumysbekov, Bakir Bayakhunov, Mynzhasara Mangitayeva, Temirzhan Bazarbayeva, Shamshi Kaldayakova, Asset Beiseuova, Eskendir Khasangalieva, Tles Kazgalieva, Zholan Dastenova, Almas Serkebayev, Kenes Duisekeyev, Tulegen Mukhamedzhanov, Zholaman Tursunbayev, Balnur Kydyrbek, Almabeka Meirbekova, Bakhtiyara Amanzholova, Serik Yerkimbekova, Beybita Daldenbayeva, Artyk Toksanbayeva, Kuat Shildebayeva, Aktota Raimkulova, Alibi Mambetov, Serik and Alibi Abdinurov, etc.