Nino Rota hit my personal radar during a Fellini festival. All six of his major works, plus the two shorts and 1 collaborative played in the Ag Hall Auditorium at Michigan State...well a long time ago. Rota, who wrote the wonderful music for these films got some play by our music school in separate events. (If you aren't into Fellini, then think of the music for Godfather I & II- that was him).
I was listening to Radio Sweden this morning as they have a great set of classical programs without commercials or fund drives, and Rota's Nonetto (a work for nine players) was on. I think I remember it from some prior hearing. It is fun, inventive, and...well it is 8 1/2 plus 0.50.