Classical Symphony

Prokofiev and Stravinsky were hardly among conductor Herbert von Karajan or the Berlin Philharmonic's specialties though their very personal accounts here of these two Russian orchestral staples are never less than interesting. Their lush, vigorous performance of Prokofiev's 5th Symphony is thrilling with the winds and strings especially displaying exceptional precision and clarity. While lacking the extrovert fury the vast majority of conductors bring to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Karajan's certainly unique, lighter, more neighbor-friendly interpretation will appeal to some as well.