The eighth symphony, composed in Copenhagen in 1942, is one of Paul von Klenau's late works. It was discovered among Klenau's manuscripts more than half a century after the composer's death. In contrast to Klenau's last work – the huge ninth symphony from 1944–45 – his Symphony No. 8 is quite short and much simpler in style. It is obviously modelled after 18th-century symphonic traditions, as is also evident from the subtitle 'Im alten Stil' ('In olden style').

The symphony is published by the Danish Centre for Music Publication of the Royal Library in cooperation with Edition·S – music¬sound¬art.