18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 34

[cahn]

And including Emperor Joseph II!

from Derek Beales: Joseph II, Volume 2: Against the World, 1780 - 1790:

Joseph's alleged comment to Mozart about the Entführung, "Too many notes", has been taken as evidence of his ignorance. But he probably said something like, "Too beautiful for our ears, and monstrous 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 were those of the Viennese audience, whom he was mocking for their limited appreciation of Mozart's elaborate music.

(though not gonna lie, I think it is a LOT of notes)

Comments

Re: An 18th-C RPF pinch hit

[mildred_of_midgard]

Okay, this is the post I was thinking of that has more detail than their current ficathon letter. It's the one I would link to for anyone who needs to pick up the fandom quickly. In case that is Relevant To Your Interests. ;)

There's also even more in their tumblr Peter III tag.

Re: An 18th-C RPF pinch hit

[cahn]

This is SUPER helpful and I've forwarded it on, thanks!!

Btw guys, I don't think I'm going to be able to do, er, this round of nefarious purposes because of RL commitments I forgot to factor in before, and I haven't gotten as far into Ekaterina as I was hoping I'd get this weekend before those other commitments kick in.

Buuuut I imagine that finding out about all this is going to be relevant even after this particular exchange, if you know what I mean, so I'm still going to keep watching (and reading -- I'm gonna have to read Massie to at least figure out the Lestocq stuff, even if A_S hates him :) )

Re: An 18th-C RPF pinch hit

[mildred_of_midgard]

I endorse you reading Massie for this, because, uh, I found a German-language biography of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples, as an e-book last night and am now single-mindedly plowing through it in all my spare time. Massie will save me explaining a bunch of things, and you already know to take everything he says with a grain of salt, and to disregard his characterization of Peter III. So win-win!

Buuuut I imagine that finding out about all this is going to be relevant even after this particular exchange, if you know what I mean

I know what you mean, and I agree!