Symphony No. 8 in C minor
Dmitri Shostakovich
Work background
Researched classical background
Shostakovich wrote his Eighth Symphony during the war, but its five movements resist the simple progression of a victory celebration. A long opening movement is followed by two sharply contrasted fast movements and a passacaglia. The final three movements connect, and the conclusion settles into a quiet C major rather than a large public triumph.
A listening guide
Listen for the repeating bass of the passacaglia and the restrained ending.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1943
Composed and premiered in 1943.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Los Angeles Philharmonic: Shostakovich Symphony No.8
1943 composition, movement sequence and reception | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Los Angeles Philharmonic: Shostakovich Symphony No.8
1943 composition, movement sequence and reception | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.