This page lists all recordings of Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65, by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) on CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray & download (MP3 & FLAC). Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. |
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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65Recorded by BBC Radio 3 live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London on 30 October 1983.
Composed during the Second World War, Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony is a powerful work that juxtaposes music of unremitting bleakness and moments of shattering brutality, ending in a tentative expression of optimism. Today it stands not only as a chilling reminder of some of the darkest days of the 20th century, but also as a reminder of Shostakovich’s acute musical imagination and craftsmanship. Gennady Rozhdestvensky conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in this live 1983 concert recording from Royal Festival Hall. Rozhdestvensky established his credentials as a Shostakovich conductor from 1955 when he deputised for Samuil Samosud in an early performance of Symphony No. 10. This is a performance which is clearly informed from the conductor’s experience of living under Stalinist represssions. Rozhdestvensky was in Shostakovich’s circle and is a respected authority on the composer. He gave the first performance of Symphony No. 10 outside the USSR at the 1962 Edinburgh Festival. “it's a formidable performance, less self-consciously ironic than some, but immensely strong on raw power...Rozhdestvensky is particularly good at cumulative tension...the playing is excellent. Taken from BBC tapes, the recording shows its age in a couple of moments of overload, but is otherwise admirably clean and spacious.” The Guardian, 7th March 2013 **** | 
| | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
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| |  | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
“…there’s no question that Berglund delivers an intelligent, moving and fully formed conception of this powerful and emotionally draining symphony” David Hurwitz, classicstoday.com “…there's no doubt that a magisterial hand is at work, steadily shaping long-term sequences and arriving decisively at apocalyptic climaxes.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2006 *** | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
“…Rostropovich's way with the sorrowful passacaglia, and especially its final glimpse of the pale dawn of the finale, is intensely moving.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2005 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Evgeny Mravinsky
“The CD transfer reproduces the occasion with great realism and a wide dynamic range. This reading has tremendous intensity and authenticity of feeling...Even among modern recordings, this more than holds its own and the sound is very good indeed. Mandatory listening.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | (also available to download from $21.00) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| | | |  | Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
This release was previously available on Decca Eloquence. An honest and interesting reading which grabs the listener ’s attention. The brass section really rise to the occasion in the finale. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos.7 & 8
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| |  | Andris Nelsons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at Lucerne Festival, 4th September 2011
Andris Nelsons is one of the most sought-after young conductors on the international scene today and once again served notice of his extraordinary talent in Summer 2011 when he conducted two concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam at the prestigious Lucerne Festival. In this concert (available on DVD and Blu-ray) orchestra and conductor demonstrate their brilliance in some of the most spectacular orchestral works ever written. Total: 100 minutes DVD: DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo Picture 16:9, HD “It's an oddly balanced programme, but Nelson's passionate engagement and facial expressiveness in every facet, always balanced by his discipline with or without a baton, hold the spell...the monumental Shostakovich Symphony No. 8 has to be the reason for giving the concert permanence, and how singularly Nelsons plumbs its depths.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2012 ***** “the percussive glitter of Salome's dance is dispatched with Bartokian verve and dispassion...He treats new tempi as points of arrival rather than departure...bringing a human warmth to a structure that often derives its impact from implacable (not to say dour) relentlessness and encouraging his wind soloists to phrase personally and vocally...if you don't care for Shostakovich, you may find this performance surprisingly convincing.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Andris Nelsons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at Lucerne Festival, 4th September 2011
Andris Nelsons is one of the most sought-after young conductors on the international scene today and once again served notice of his extraordinary talent in Summer 2011 when he conducted two concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam at the prestigious Lucerne Festival. In this concert (available on DVD and Blu-ray) orchestra and conductor demonstrate their brilliance in some of the most spectacular orchestral works ever written. Total: 100 minutes Andris Nelsons is one of the most sought-after young conductors on the international scene today and once again served notice of his extraordinary talent in Summer 2011 when he conducted two concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam at the prestigious Lucerne Festival. In this concert (available on DVD and Blu-ray) orchestra and conductor demonstrate their brilliance in some of the most spectacular orchestral works ever written. Total: 100 minutes BD: DTS-HD MA 5.1, PCM Stereo Picture 16:9, HD | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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