Great underrated pieces.

[greg]

Schoenberg's "tonal" works, amazing stuff! like this one:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=9607

oh, that reminds me.... it's not tonal (though not strikingly atonal, either), but Schoenberg's Book Of Hanging Gardens, too 

[karlhenning]

. . . but Schoenberg's Book Of Hanging Gardens, too 

(* pounds the table *)

[Sean]

quintett

Sinfonia domestica doesn't quite have the logic of the earlier poems but is much much stronger than Alpinesinfonie and the Karajan recording is essential listening, unlikely ever to be surpassed.

Guido

Ives is someone I have definitely not quite worked out yet.

Do you know Variations on America for organ? How peculiar, comical and profound is that?

[bhodges]

While I don't really know of a single piece that could be awarded "most underrated," I do think Martinů is off the radar for most listeners, especially his larger works.  (Certainly that is the case on concert programs.)  His ballet Špalíček is charming, and ditto La Revue de Cuisine, and the few operas I've heard are full of interesting material.  Last year I finally heard Hlas lesa (The Voice of the Forest), originally designed for radio, and wondered why this engaging score is just sitting around waiting for someone to program it.

--Bruce

[Kullervo]

While I don't really know of a single piece that could be awarded "most underrated," I do think Martinů is off the radar for most listeners, especially his larger works.  (Certainly that is the case on concert programs.)  His ballet Špalíček is charming, and ditto La Revue de Cuisine, and the few operas I've heard are full of interesting material.  Last year I finally heard Hlas lesa (The Voice of the Forest), originally designed for radio, and wondered why this engaging score is just sitting around waiting for someone to program it.

--Bruce

Thanks for the recommendations. I've been listening to his symphonies a lot lately — much masterful music there. It's a wonder his 1st is almost never programmed — it's a real barn-burner!

[bhodges]

Thanks for the recommendations. I've been listening to his symphonies a lot lately — much masterful music there, especially in the 6th.

Yes, I completely agree (and you don't see those programmed, either). 

--Bruce

[greg]

(* pounds the table *)

i hope you were done eating all of your lunch when you did this...

[The new erato]

Late Stravinsky. Mass, Cantata, Threni....

Frank Martins major scores (the oratorios, der Cornet, the symphony)

[Bonehelm]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

[Scriptavolant]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

Ludwig 9th is already universal patrimony of the UNESCO.

Well, judging some other topics around, I'd have to say Mozart chamber music as a whole. Quite sad indeed.

[springrite]

Frank Martins major scores (der Cornet)

Totally agree! What a wonderful work!

Also, I would nominate Glinka's viola sonata and Veinberg's cello sonatas.

[mahlertitan]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

(imagining a crowd of no less than 500 Chinese elementary students singing in German)

[greg]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

the day that happens is the day i shoot myself

[violinconcerto]

I would say Stanley Wolfe's orchestral music. I just know his name because I person in another forum mentioned him and I spent one and a half year to get his orchestral music on CD, but it was worth it!
After that time his name came across my eyes again, so does anyone of you know him?

[The new erato]

Totally agree! What a wonderful work!

I'm on record as stating that my favorite record is the Orfeo record of Martin's der Cornet, and that the work is one of my ten favorite works ever. I am considering purchasing the new MDG recording of it -anybody heard it?

[quintett op.57]

quintett

Sinfonia domestica doesn't quite have the logic of the earlier poems but is much much stronger than Alpinesinfonie and the Karajan recording is essential listening, unlikely ever to be surpassed.

You're certainly answering Larry's post.
I love Sinfonia domestica.

[PSmith08]

Franz Schmidt. Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln.


Schmidt was politically naïve and made some really bad decisions, which came to affect him personally - as his wife was "liquidated." Still, Das Buch is a wonderful oratorio and - probably - the greatest oratorio (in my book) since Ein deutsches Requiem or Das klagende Lied.

I hope the Mitropoulos recording from Salzburg makes its way back onto the record shelves.

[pjme]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

Well, Ode to Joy IS the official European hymn.

Today, "Beethoven's Ninth" belongs not only to the classic works in the concert business. The famous choral part in the final movement, with the text from poet Friedrich Schiller's "An die Freude" (Ode to Joy), has also been the European Union's official hymn since 1985.

[mahlertitan]

Franz Schmidt. Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln.


Schmidt was politically naïve and made some really bad decisions, which came to affect him personally - as his wife was "liquidated." Still, Das Buch is a wonderful oratorio and - probably - the greatest oratorio (in my book) since Ein deutsches Requiem or Das klagende Lied.

I hope the Mitropoulos recording from Salzburg makes its way back onto the record shelves.

'

him and Wetz too! well, maybe no, because Schmit's music is a little easier on the ears than Wetz's.

[BachQ]

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony, "Choral" in D minor, op.125. It should be made the national anthem of every single country throughout the entire history of mankind.

I'm dead serious.

What about the ancient country of Babylon, which ceased to exist long before LvB wrote his 9th Symphony?