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About this track
License Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 in C minor — one of the most searing orchestral statements of the twentieth century — performed by a professional orchestra and captured in studio-grade fidelity. Composed in 1943 at the height of the Second World War, this symphony channels the full spectrum of wartime experience: from ferocious, relentless violence to passages of devastating grief and fragile, hard-won peace. Its extraordinary emotional range and cinematic intensity make it one of the most sought-after classical works for film, documentary and dramatic visual media. Available as a lossless WAV download from EUR 29.90 with full worldwide sync rights included.
About This Recording
Dmitri Shostakovich composed his Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65, during the summer of 1943 while the Soviet Union was engulfed in total war. The work premiered in November 1943 under Yevgeny Mravinsky and the Leningrad Philharmonic. Unlike the famous "Leningrad" Symphony (No. 7), which carried an overt patriotic programme, the Eighth Symphony is a deeply personal, unflinching confrontation with suffering, destruction and the possibility of survival. The symphony's five movements trace an arc from sustained orchestral fury through bleak, desolate landscapes to a finale of quiet, ambiguous resolution — neither triumphant nor defeated, but enduring. Soviet authorities criticised the work for its pessimism, and it was effectively banned during the Zhdanov era. Today it is regarded as one of Shostakovich's greatest achievements and among the most powerful symphonies of the twentieth century. This recording captures the complete symphony with a professional orchestra in high-fidelity studio production, preserving the full dynamic range from the most delicate solo passages to the overwhelming orchestral climaxes. Delivered at 44.1 kHz WAV for direct integration into professional editing timelines with no compression or quality loss.
Licensing and Use Cases
With an Artyfile Basic license (EUR 29.90), you receive:
- Full worldwide sync rights — film, documentary, commercial, social media, YouTube, broadcast
- Perpetual license — no expiry, no renewals, no recurring fees
- Instant WAV download (44.1 kHz lossless studio quality)
- No additional collection society fees — sync rights managed directly by Artyfile
- Copyright-safe for all platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Vimeo)
- No subscription required — one-time purchase, lifetime use
Artyfile Limited Edition (EUR 96.90) includes everything above plus 1% ownership of the master rights as a Music NFT on Ethereum — earn from global streaming royalties and future sync placements. Increase your share by purchasing additional units.
Perfect For
- War and history documentaries — the symphony's direct connection to the Second World War and its unflinching portrayal of conflict make it an authentic, emotionally devastating score for historical documentaries, battlefield sequences and survivor testimony segments
- Thriller and crime drama — the relentless passacaglia of the fourth movement and the explosive orchestral attacks of the first movement provide ideal material for building unbearable tension, psychological pressure and narrative dread
- Film trailers and teasers — the dramatic contrasts between violent orchestral outbursts and haunting, exposed solo passages create a cinematic arc that mirrors the tension-release structure of a trailer
- Dark drama and character studies — the symphony's sustained passages of grief, isolation and quiet devastation suit intimate dramatic moments exploring loss, moral conflict and inner turmoil
- Nature and landscape sequences — the desolate, wind-swept textures of the third and fifth movements evoke vast, empty landscapes — battlefields, frozen plains, abandoned places — with extraordinary atmospheric power
- Corporate and memorial productions — the finale's quiet resolution communicates endurance, remembrance and cautious hope, suitable for commemorative films, institutional retrospectives and memorial events
Why License Through Artyfile
Licensing a professional orchestral recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 through traditional channels typically requires navigating multiple rights holders — the orchestra, the conductor, the record label — along with unclear usage restrictions and unpredictable costs. With Artyfile, sync rights and master rights are managed directly — one purchase, one license, worldwide clearance. No subscription required, no hidden fees. Artyfile music is registered with GEMA and all collecting societies for worldwide monitoring, but the sync rights are handled independently by Artyfile, so you pay once and receive full clearance with no additional GEMA fees or separate negotiations.
Track Details
| Composer | Dmitri Shostakovich |
| Work | Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 |
| Performer | Professional Orchestra |
| Publisher | Edition Artyfile |
| Genre | Classical / Orchestral / Cinematic |
| Instruments | Brass, Cello, Double Bass, Drums, Horns, Orchestra, Strings, Timpani, Trumpet, Violin |
| Moods | Action/Sports, Adventure/Discovery, Aggressive, Crime/Thriller, Dark/Somber, Horror/Scary, Landscapes, Magical/Mystical, Majestic/Motivation, Military/Patriotic |
| Tempo | Upbeat, Fast (variable across movements) |
| Format | WAV 44.1 kHz (lossless studio quality) |
| Product Number | ars21000603.1 |
| License | Worldwide, perpetual sync rights included |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 in my film or YouTube video?
Yes. Every Artyfile Basic purchase includes full worldwide sync rights. You can use this recording in feature films, documentaries, YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, TikTok, commercials, corporate videos and any other visual media — without copyright strikes or additional fees.
Is this a real orchestral recording or a digital reproduction?
This is a genuine orchestral performance — real musicians, real instruments, professional studio production. No MIDI, no sample libraries. The full dynamic range from exposed solo woodwind passages to overwhelming orchestral climaxes is captured at 44.1 kHz WAV for seamless integration into professional editing timelines.
Do I need to pay GEMA fees when using this classical recording?
No. While Artyfile music is registered with GEMA and other collecting societies for worldwide monitoring, the sync rights are managed directly by Artyfile. You pay once and receive full clearance — no additional GEMA fees, no separate negotiations with collecting societies.
What is the difference between Artyfile Basic and Limited Edition?
Artyfile Basic (EUR 29.90) gives you the track with full sync rights and instant WAV download. Artyfile Limited Edition (EUR 96.90) includes everything in Basic plus 1% ownership of the master rights as a Music NFT on Ethereum. As a co-owner, you earn from global streaming royalties and future sync placements.
Is Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 in the public domain — why do I need a license?
Shostakovich's compositions entered the public domain in certain jurisdictions 70 years after his death (2045 in the EU, already public domain in some countries for the score). However, this specific orchestral recording is a modern, copyrighted master. You are licensing the master recording and its sync rights — not the underlying composition. This license gives you legal clearance to use this particular performance in your productions worldwide and in perpetuity.
What makes Symphony No. 8 different from the famous "Leningrad" Symphony No. 7?
The Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" carries an overt patriotic programme and is known for its famous invasion theme — a long, relentless crescendo. The Symphony No. 8 is a more personal, introspective work that confronts suffering and destruction without patriotic resolution. Where the Seventh builds to triumph, the Eighth ends in quiet, ambiguous peace. The Eighth is often considered the more cinematically versatile of the two, offering a wider emotional range from extreme violence to devastating stillness. Both are available on Artyfile.
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