I noticed that too, and got to thinking that that might have been intentional. But the cowbells and deepbells are really 'present' and audible. I'm now thinking of getting a hard copy of this M6 as well. Maybe. As a tuba player, I'm also thrilled that the tuba is so 'present' and aggressive in this recording. I'm sure the eventual Bychkov/Czech Phil. one will be a more succinct reading, but the sound quality won't be quite as good (if past releases in the series are any indication).