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: Helga Peham: Leopold II. Herrscher mit weiser Hand. (Vienna 1987) - II

[cahn]

What gets me is that Leopold's "whom he pays very well" is meant as a negative. I should hope that Joseph wasn't thrifty if he did use prostitutes, the girls were making a living that way!

HEE. Oh Leopold. Well, it seems that Leopold at least thought that Joseph paid them well (if he used them), go Joseph :)

Also, hanging out with ladies one doesn't woo is stupid, full stop, and just makes people think you're discussing politics with them, which, ew".

LOL. Unless they're prostitutes. I guess.

what is meant here is that Joseph doesn't give the traditional style audiences to the nobility.

*nods* I actually did remember that, because you mentioned it was one of the things that made Joseph not so effective, and I am sort of the anti-Mildred in that I think it's interesting how people who mean well and have lots of exciting idealistic ideas fail when applying them to the real world, because it's such a geeky thing that I empathize :)