Happy Birthday, Alma Mahler...Gropius Werfel!

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published August 31, 2026 at 3:07 AM EDT

Tune in Monday afternoon as Foley celebrates the legacy of one of most compelling muses—and creative forces—of the modern era, born on August 31, 1879.

Monday afternoon we’ll celebrate the birthday of Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel–the highly intelligent and gifted wife of Gustav Mahler, who later married architect Walter Gropius and yet later, writer Franz Werfel, described by one friend as a “catalyst of unbelievable intensity." We’ll hear music both inspired and written by this great femme fatale of the arts on this afternoon's Classical Music With Foley Schuler.

You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon on Blue Lake Public Radio.

Foley Schuler

Encouraged by creative parents, Foley began his music career at age 7, studying violin with Jean Manning at North Muskegon Public Schools. As a Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp camper, he became Blue Lake Public Radio’s first high school intern. Foley earned an English Literature degree from Hope College, and Masters in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson College. He has performed with the West Michigan (formerly West Shore) Symphony; served on the English Department faculty at Muskegon Community College, and been the Music, Art & Theatre reviewer for the Muskegon Chronicle. He follows his love of the arts around the globe, but says, “There is no place like the Blue Lake setting, sharing extraordinary music with our listeners.” Foley hosts Blue Lake Public Radio’s weekday classical music from 1 to 4 p.m. and “Sunday on Blue Lake”.

See stories by Foley Schuler