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

Bloodletting

[mildred_of_midgard]

Incidentally, if you're wondering, the doctors didn't murder Leopold and Mozart via poison but via bloodletting. Leopold was bled four times, Mozart too. COINCIDENCE?!!!!

(Sidenote: that was probably the most sense-making part of the book, in that I'm sure blood letting contributed to both Leopold's and Mozart's demise since when did that ever help anyone, but to assume 18th century doctors would know that is... something.)

I have to say, I was impressed when Massie told me that Johanna, mother of Catherine the Great, was convinced bloodletting would kill you and refused to allow herself to be bled. I forget the details, but I think she had lost a sister young and blamed the excessive bloodletting?

Anyway, awful mother and mother-in-law or no, she was (if Massie is to be believed) ahead of her time in this respect!