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: Ceci ce n'est pas un write up: the McKay biographies

[cahn]

(Say about Nancy G. what you want, but she can tell a story.)

Yeah, and so can Massie. Whyyyyy is it so much to ask that my biographies be both accurate and have a good story? :P (I guess Orieux got pretty high marks that way.)

I just can't call him Friedrich Wilhelm, that's too confusing

haha, thank you!

the Elector had two good marriages - more than most royals got in the era

indeed, two more than than most royals got :P

"Charles Emmanuel" - it startled to find Karl Emil in this for

*blinks* Yeah, wow, I wouldn't have even realized that was Karl Emil.

There's a lot of family drama here, and hardly anything makes it into the biography.

Well, what even is the point then?!

Re: Ceci ce n'est pas un write up: the McKay biographies

[selenak]

Well, what even is the point then?!

Exactly. If he wants me to pay attention to the battles and the diplomatic manoeuvring, he has to give me family drama!

Re: Ceci ce n'est pas un write up: the McKay biographies

[mildred_of_midgard]

Lol, you guys. :DDD I don't recommend reading about Victor Amadeus, then, because Symcox and especially Storrs will make McKay look like he writes airport thrillers. I am here for battles and diplomatic maneuvering, myself. (Though I still think good maps should be mandatory instead of depressingly rare, and so should giving an overview of the complete war before starting in on tactical minutiae.)