The National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice (NOSPR) was founded in 1935 in Warsaw by Grzegorz Fitelberg, who led it until the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1945, the Orchestra was revived in Katowice by Witold Rowicki. In 1947, the post of artistic director was taken again by Grzegorz Fitelberg. After his death in 1953, the Orchestra was headed respectively by Jan Krenz, Bohdan Wodiczko, Kazimierz Kord, Tadeusz Strugała, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Stanisław Wisłocki, Jacek Kaspszyk, Antoni Wit, Gabriel Chmura and, once again, Jacek Kaspszyk. In September 2000, Joanna Wnuk-Nazarowa became General and Programme Director of the NOSPR. From 2012 to August 2019 Alexander Liebreich was Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the NOSPR. 

In September 2018, Ewa Bogusz-Moore took up the post of General and Programme Director of the NOSPR. In September 2019, Lawrence Foster became Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the NOSPR. 

Apart from archive recordings for the Polish Radio, the Orchestra has recorded more than 200 CDs, winning accolades such as Diapason d’Or, Grand Prix du Disque, and International Classical Music Awards, among many others. Many famous conductors and soloists have appeared with the NOSPR all over the world. The Orchestra has implemented numerous projects, such as the Marathon of Górecki’s Music, Kilar Music Train, and Maritime Music Voyages. 

Winner of 2018 ICMA Special Award, the NOSPR has organised the Culture Nature Festival in Katowice since 2015, as well the Festival of World Premieres – Polish Modern Music since 2005.