There are occasions I have written posts in a series, either on one large-scale piece of music, or grouped together with a common theme. Below I have put together links to some of these series to make them easier to find and follow in the archive of Good Music Speaks. These are some of my favorite pieces of music, ones that I have been motivated to write about in some depth. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
To The Memory of An Angel
One of my favorite works of the early twentieth century is the Violin Concerto by Alban Berg. It was composed during the summer of 1935, and dedicated to the memory of Manon Gropius, the young daughter of Alma Mahler and Walter Gropius. The concerto is a moving, emotionally charged masterpiece.
To the Memory of an Angel, Part I
To the Memory of an Angel, Part II
To the Memory of an Angel, Part III
Four By Four For Four
This was a series of posts on one of my favorite chamber ensembles, the string quartet. Four compositions, by four different composers, played by four string players in a quartet.
American Composers
I have a special affection for the music of American composers, being that I am one myself. I spent the entire month of July 2014 writing posts about some well-known and some not so well-known composers that were born here in America.
Charles Ives, Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York
If Horatio Alger had Written the Life-Story of a Composer
Schuman (One “N”, not that German guy)
On The Transmigration of Souls
American Composers, Postscript
Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor
Finished in 1902, the Fifth symphony of Mahler is the first of a trio of purely instrumental symphonies that highlight the middle creative period of his career. The fourth movement Adagietto is probably the most famous piece of music Mahler ever wrote.
Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz
Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 8 in C minor
The Eighth symphony of Anton Bruckner is the last he completed. It was premiered in 1892, and has undergone revision by Bruckner and some well-meaning supporters. The standard four movement symphonic form is expanded to a huge 80 minutes of music by Bruckner. Listening is worth every minute, as it ends with a gorgeous finale.
“The Bruckner Problem” or “A Huge Pain in My Student Backside”
Regular Irregularity, or Round Pegs in Square Holes
Good Music Speaks 
I loved your Slaying the Dragon article. I have to sleep now but I will check out the other one next time. Thank you for sharing.
I don’t want to be the dragon anymore…I am tired from being a single mother.
I have to find me a real dragon someday. Hopefully I can make enough extra by teaching guitar lessons in the mean time.
Blessings,
Annie
As a relatively new follower of yours, I tried looking to see what musicians you had written about before I encountered your blog, and realised that you don’t even have a category list on the blogroll!
This page is great for referring to your ‘series’ on various people, but for other subjects, there is no other way to find out what is here, without taking pot luck on the months you have listed on the blogroll.
I have taken to creating separate pages of archives to list posts that my readers might be interested in, on specific themes – see my i/sheet page
http://julzcrafts.com/isheets/
any chance that you could find a way to list the musicians you have covered?
That is a very good suggestion. I will have to put some work in on that sort of thing
Actually – after I left the comment, I went to my other blog – “the spare” – and created my own music archive – there are only a few posts, but its easier to start now, rather than try and do it later – I do realise its going to take a lot for you to do it – as you have SO many – smile!
What a wonderful blog. I am so happy to have found this. And, thank you for the like!
What a gem your blog is! I love it. Thank you so much for finding mine, or I would have never seen yours…
I really enjoyed the historical elements of your blog, it certainly added a refreshing perspective.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for liking my post ‘Starting on your life purpose – memory back up’.
You are Rich by name and Rich by musical blog!
Love the originality of the your blog.
I’ve only just found your articles and Slaying Dragons was very interesting and meaningful! 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I love all kinds of music, but I was startled to see you feature opera; I was raised on opera and studied ballet from the age of three; ADORE Puccini~!