Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Orchestra: Mariinsky Orchestra
Conductor: Valéry Gergiev
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Mariinsky
Release: 2013
Size: 1.1 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
01. I. Adagio – Allegro non troppo
02. II. Allegretto
03. III. Allegro non troppo
04. IV. Largo
05. V. Allegretto
Valery Gergiev continues his Shostakovich symphony cycle with the release of the Eighth Symphony. The work, imbued with a deep sense of sorrow and fear, is considered to be one of the composer’s finest scores. The authorities expected a victorious anthem in light of the Nazi retreat, but Shostakovich appeared too affected by the casualties and ruin of the war.
The New York Times recently hailed Gergiev for demonstrating a “powerfully intuitive connection to these works and a keen ear for the intricacies of Shostakovich’s musical voice.” Previous releases in Gergiev’s Shostakovich cycle include Symphonies 1 & 15, Symphonies 2 & 11, Symphonies 3 & 10 and Symphony No. 7. Between them they have received two Grammy Award nominations, as well as Chocs from Classica (France) and Editor’s Choices from Gramophone. Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra will tour the US in October with an all-Russian programme including performances of Shostakovich Symphonies 5 & 8 and Stravinsky’s Firebird.