As in, if you've ever heard a really great piece that just so happened to be underplayed (in your opinion), is it/what is your favorite?
My favorites are Dvorak's "Golden Spinning Wheel," and Wagenaar's concert overture to Cyrano de Bergerac.
http://www.mso.org/main.taf?p=9,5,1 = It's free, type in the credentials and there's a great recording of the overture by the MSO.
hafwen
Favorite Answer
Sadly, not many people listen to - or indeed, are familiar with the Czech Baroque composer, Jan Dismas Zelenka.
He wrote an extraordinary set of triosonatas for 2 oboes, bassoon and basso continuo, which really are phenomenal works - they're impossible to describe with words, they are like no other Baroque works you'll ever hear.
They are definitely worth a listen. Here's an excerpt from Triosonata #2 in g minor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A29rhG-Nqk0
Enjoy - and spread the word!
Hafwen x
Rodmilla
My favorite underplayed pieces are all by Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan).
Overtures:
Overture di Ballo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMssqTBwpk&feature=related
'In Memoriam' Overture
Opera:
'Ivanhoe' (a Grand Opera that had a total of 155 performances (unheard of for Grand Opera).
Solo piano:
'Twilight' Romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTcbTr_Ah1c
Choral works with orchestra:
Festival Te Deum
The Light of the World
The Martyr of Antioch
The Golden Legend
Ballets:
L'Île Enchantée
Victoria and Merrie England
Song Cycle:
The Window; or, The Song of the Wrens
Orchestral works:
Procession March
Princess of Wales's March
Symphony in E
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
Overture Marmion
Ode for the Opening of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition
Ode for the Laying of the Foundation Stone of The Imperial Institute
Imperial March
The Absent-Minded Beggar March
A lot of neglected works.
Joshua S
There are a lot of songs that are completely underplayed. One I would say is Jeux d'Eau by Benoit Jutras. It's a beautiful song, but can be completely torn apart if it's not played right. Reve Rouge by the same person is also. Hard to Starboard by James Horner. I hope that this answers your question.
del_icious_manager
I could, of course, choose many examples as neglected masterpieces are something of a speciality of mine. However, my first choice is a neglected piece by a composer who suffers from a few of his works being done death - Antonio Vivaldi. I adore his 'Nisi Dominus' - not least for the ravishing aria '*** dederit' (first link below).
Antonio Caldara was a close contemporary of Vivaldi's whose works languished in libraries and museums before recent re-discovery. His oratorio 'Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo' is a masterpiece, as witnessed by the aria in the 2nd link below.
An exact contemporary of Mozart, the Swedish (but German-born) Joseph Martin Kraus wrote some astounding original music that I wish orchestras would take up, including an incredible Symphony in C# minor (3rd link below).
Ruehl
My answer may sound a little out there, but my favourite underplayed piece is Haydn's Symphony No. 13 in D Major. It is a charming piece of music that should definitely be listened to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0fB-aIBPaU - First Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UIJvSnrv_Q - Second Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6_ox_5KVeg - Third and Fourth Movements