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: Romans

[mildred_of_midgard]

You're forgetting Idiot Ex-Boss (whom I still have to talk to, unfortunately). :P

Re: Romans

[cahn]

Ah, but when you talk about Idiot Ex-Boss you also talk about Current At-Least-More-Competent Boss that you have warmer feelings toward, so my overall impression is still not of someone who just says negative things :) But yeah, if Idiot Ex-Boss was still your boss and also your sister, point taken :P (Though Joseph is a far cry from your sister :P )

Re: Romans

[mildred_of_midgard]

you also talk about Current At-Least-More-Competent Boss that you have warmer feelings toward

Me, reading this: I do now!

But yeah, if Idiot Ex-Boss was still your boss

Yes, see, exactly! :P

But no, I get that I say more positive things about other people than we see in the Leopold sources, but also I'm aware that the 21st century is a pretty good place for me to live in. And I know what I was like when I was trapped with my family, and thus what I would be like if circumstances hadn't allowed me to develop some of the emotional maturity that, say, Fritz never got.

(Though Joseph is a far cry from your sister :P )

She is in a class of her own, it's true. :)