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: Klement: the Weber Version - II

[selenak]

Is this why Suhm was initially sent to Berlin? Because Wikipedia tells me 1720 is when he began his stint as envoy to Prussia.

Weber said "Suhm, who happened to be in Berlin" - der sich in Berlin befand - now whether that means he was in Berlin by chance or whether he was sent there but not yet as an envoy, I couldn't make out. The way I understood it that Legationssekretär Wilhelmi had been acting as de facto Saxon envoy ever since Manteuffel got promoted to cabinet minister, but with the understanding a proper successor as envoy had yet to be appointed. Hardly unusual, given all we know about Diplomatic practices in the 18th century by now.

Be that as it may, I suspect Suhm able to get Wihelmi off the hook with FW might have contributed to his official appointment as Saxon envoy the next year?

BTW, in the round of "How dare you?" letters between Prussia, Saxony and Austria, one of FW's points out he's been so helpful to August by sending Countess Cosel back to him as demanded, and how is he repaid? This was all very recent, remember.

Re: Klement: the Weber Version - II

[mildred_of_midgard]

I suspect Suhm able to get Wihelmi off the hook with FW might have contributed to his official appointment as Saxon envoy the next year?

Ah, yes, this makes sense!

Hardly unusual, given all we know about Diplomatic practices in the 18th century by now.

Yes, and this is why I don't think Peter had reason to be terribly upset in 1747 about Fritz leaving the guy in London who possibly hadn't even taken an oath of loyalty to Prussia. The whole point was that "random guy" Michell wasn't accredited and didn't have to be paid much, if anything at all. You just left someone like him there as a point of contact so you weren't totally out of the loop. You sent, and paid, an accredited ambassador, when you had something to negotiate or your relationship with that state was otherwise very important to you.