The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony,” Stravinsky’s “Song of the Nightingale” and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lied Center.

The ensemble last performed at the Lied Center on Oct. 14, 1998.

The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is Russia’s oldest symphony. It was formed out of the 19th-century Imperial Music Choir in 1892, but initially played only for the Imperial Court and in aristocratic circles.

As early as 1917, the ensemble was declared a state orchestra. A year later, the orchestra was incorporated into the newly founded Petrograd Philharmonic Society, the first concert organization in the Soviet Union.

In 1991, the orchestra changed its name from the Leningrad Philharmonic to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

The orchestra is conducted by Yuri Temirkanov and tours throughout the world.

While in Lawrence, the musicians will conduct a master class for KU students on Thursday.

Tickets to the Lied Center concert range from $16 to $38.

They are available at the Lied Center Box Office, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall Box Office, 864-3982; Student Union Activities Box Office, 864-3477; Ticketmaster, (816) 931-3330 or (785) 234-4545; and online at www.tickets.com.