I'm Getting Fond of Old Fritz

[therealsnape]

At first the many Friedrichs that Germany throws at the unsuspecting lady-traveller are a tad confusing. There's the first, and the second, and Friedrich William, and it seems there's a list of those who were Kurfürst and another list of those who were upgraded to emperor.

Besides, the official guidebooks didn't have much interesting things to mention. My personal audio guide was wonderfully informative, but mostly about their wives, she being a historian with a bit of a thing for interesting ladies.

But on one of our little outings we entered a museum gift-shop, and they had very pleasant background music. Really most enchanting. I checked it out, and it turned out it was composed by Friedrich II The Great, or Alte Fritz as he was lovingly known.

Who was a good friend of Voltaire, another point in his favour. So I don't really care what kind of Emperor or Kurfürst he was, and whether or not he was gay, and if so, if that is an excuse for visiting one's wife only once a year. A man who can compose music like this has much to recommend himself.

I've played the CD with his flute concertos several times now, and I love them. Cheerful and soothing at the same time, and perfect background music for reading or desk-work. The image is Old Fritz himself, playing in his favourite palace where Voltaire visited him. For a three-year visit (none of that 'a guest and a fish stay fresh for three days' business). Only then did Friedrich really quarrel with him, and given Voltaire's flavourful personality, that's another thing in Fritz's favour.

Comments

[mountainmoira.livejournal.com]

Very charming indeed - I wonder if we will ever see such a degree of civilized behavior ever again - I suspect not. Especially appreciative that the flute is of a register not as high and shrill as so many can be !! I'm feeling the need for a lovely pot of tea...

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

The fact that nowadays most people have to work for a living is a bit of a downer - the average court was full of people who were courtier by profession and filthy rich by birth.

Now, if the flist would win that famous multi-million lottery, we could come close. Literary salons, musical evenings, the refinements would be endless.

Joins you with cuppa - perfect to go with this music.

[the-winterwitch.livejournal.com]

May I offer you both a cup of my newest Mariage Frères discovery, "Casablanca"? Delicious Earl Grey blended with green and mint tea, a perfect "marriage" of two tastes/scents I love.