What is your favorite underplayed piece?

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

My favorite underplayed pieces are all by Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan).

Overtures:

Overture di Ballo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMssqTBwpk&feature...

'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.

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.

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).

William Schuman: 1910 - 1992

The Symphonies No. 3 - 10.

If not seriously undervalued, seriously underplayed.

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

Haydn Symphony No 80

Sibelius's first symphony. Gorgeous music throughout all the movements, but it doesn't get nearly as much attention as a lot of his other works. The main theme of the fourth movement is jaw-droppingly pretty.

To the person who wrote about Zelenka: I am indeed familiar with his works, and they are great!

Vivaldis Concerto for Lute in D major

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF4GKIILF_U

and Merulas "Ciaconna"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHrZlpdlxp0

Lowell Lieberman - Gargoyles