Not much to say about this, but it was interesting.
"Too many notes", has been taken as evidence of his ignorance. But he probably said something like "Too beautiful for our ears, and monstreous many notes." It is always necessary to bear in mind, when appraising the emperor's remarks, his peculiar brand of humor or sarcasm. He was usually getting at someone. And he did not use the royal "we". The ears in question where those of the Viennese audience, whom he was mocking for their limited appreciation of Mozart's elaborate music.
This makes perfect sense, and I'm going to share it with my wife, because she brings up that quote whenever I mention Joseph. (She has only pop culture knowledge of this period, although these days she has some gossipy sensationalism knowledge too. :P)
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Re: Derek Beales: Joseph II, Volume 2: Against the World, 1780 - 1790 - C - Music
Date: 2022-01-12 04:08 pm (UTC)"Too many notes", has been taken as evidence of his ignorance. But he probably said something like "Too beautiful for our ears, and monstreous many notes." It is always necessary to bear in mind, when appraising the emperor's remarks, his peculiar brand of humor or sarcasm. He was usually getting at someone. And he did not use the royal "we". The ears in question where those of the Viennese audience, whom he was mocking for their limited appreciation of Mozart's elaborate music.
This makes perfect sense, and I'm going to share it with my wife, because she brings up that quote whenever I mention Joseph. (She has only pop culture knowledge of this period, although these days she has some gossipy sensationalism knowledge too. :P)