Friday morning, after playing J.S. Bach's fifth Brandenburg Concerto, a Classical announcer read Bach's dedication to the royalty for whom the six Brandenburg concertos were presented. The dedication illustrated how careful and obsequious one has to be around those with great power. Bach refers to "Your Royal Highness" multiple times and begs his forgiveness for the concertos' supposed imperfections.
The announcer mused about how much more music Bach might have composed if he hadn't had to write such dedications. I second that and add that I'm thankful not to live under a monarchy.
