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Then there's that bit in Strauss's 4 Last Songs which provides the theme for "Jesus Christ, Superstar", which is a bit queasy.  But one of the unlikeliest links is that the main theme of Rubbra's 8th Symphony is identical to Janacek's "Cunning Little Vixen"!

One of Kit and the Widow's songs pokes fun at Andrew Lloyd Webber, slyly pointing up all the tunes he filched.  The refrain goes: "Here's how to write a good West-End tune: steal it from somebody else!"

I spotted this site only the other day and was really pleased that there should be a forum for discussing these beautiful things which, for one reason or another, lie undiscovered, unappreciated or forgotten.

I'm an architect, but most of my friends are in some way involved in music, either composing, conducting, playing or singing (or even administrating).  I became interested in "serious" (i.e. not pop) music before anyone told me I wasn't supposed to like it, and have been following my ears ever since.

Consequently, over the years I've built up an enormous collection of first performances, rarities and exquisite things, and it gives me huge amount of pleasure - you all know the feeling!

Try also his Concerto for Strings.  When I first heard it I thought it was Vaughan Williams...

If anyone is interested, I have a great recording of that first (and only, I guess, incredibly) performance of the Italian Songs, and also of his Fantasy Concertante of 1985.  I've got a massive collection of rare pieces, so if anyone is looking for something specific....