Valery Gergiev continues his Shostakovich symphony cycle with the release of the Symphony No.8. 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."