I am surprised no one suggested Muti's with the Philadelphia Orchestra. (EMI 47408) First and foremost, the percussion sections are not only spectacularly palpable, but their rhythms are articulated more clearly than what I have heard in other recordings. It may be the recording, but to me the pitched/unpitched drums come across sounding sufficiently different enough from each other to really bring out Stravinsky's layered rhythms--most rewarding in the Danse sacrale--which can sometimes sound like just a lot of noise. Next, in the Danse sacrale, pains seem to have been taken to bring out the low-brass notes and trombone chords that usually just fly by--again, making the finale voluptuous as well as loud. String weight through out is impressive--esp in the Dance of the adolescents and the Danse sacrale--but most importantly, their articulation is hair raising. Check out the Danse de la terre. What I enjoy most about this recording is that IMHO Stravinsky's quicksilver rhythms, whether underpinning the composer's light "French" sections, (just listen to the Jeu du rapt), or his mammoth and thick "Russian" sections, (the Danse de la terre), are magnificently handled by Muti and the Philadelphia forces. Usually, one must choose performances that bring out one element or the other. A spacious recording. And that bass drum..... John Smyth