Lesung mit Stefan Cordes: »Wir waren Wunder«
The reading series “Kleine Bad Orber Buchmesse” begins on October 6, 2026, with “Wir waren Wunder” by Stefan Cordes, musically accompanied by pianist Irina Maurer, who has had a brilliant reputation not only since the founding of the Spessart Ensemble in Bad Orb. In the historical novel “Wir waren Wunder,” Cordes describes the life of Maria Anna Mozart (“Nannerl”), who spent her life in the shadow of her younger brother. The captivating novel, which was recently published in time for the protagonist's 275th birthday, describes, as the publishing house Penguin informs, “a complicated and tragic father-daughter relationship in a time when the world was not yet ready to concede independent fame to female artists.” With historically precise research, a novel-biography emerges that is a must-read for all Mozart lovers. The reading, with musically appropriate accompaniment, takes place on the eve of this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, starting at 7:30 PM in the garden hall of the concert hall.
Regarding the content, the publisher reveals in advance: Leopold Mozart never reached great heights as a musician himself. He tries everything to market his talented children Wolfgang Amadeus and Mariann as child prodigies throughout Europe. Mariann, often referred to merely as “Nannerl,” is celebrated as a piano virtuoso in the music metropolises of Vienna, Paris, and London at barely fourteen years of age. However, her own father, driven by a thirst for fame and megalomania, increasingly pushes her to the margins. Ultimately, Leopold Mozart ruthlessly abandons his daughter and ends Mariann's promising career to devote himself entirely to Wolfgang. This book tells the story of how a young woman can manage to free herself from the dependency of an overpowering, narcissistic father in order to find her freedom, even if it means sacrificing her great dream.
Stefan Cordes, who studied journalism, art history, and philosophy and has worked for many years as a format developer, creative director, and producer for television, has previously caught attention with a literary homage to a historical figure: In “Billie. Ich fliege Himmel an mit ungezähmten Pferden,” he focused on the life of the Baroque poetess Sybilla Schwarz in August 2024. His portrayal of the life of this great 17th-century poetess was celebrated as “vivid, tangible, and impressive.” His latest book “Wir waren Wunder” not only delights thanks to meticulous research but also with the author's ability to convey the emotions of his main character in a palpable and plausible way. This exciting narration of a real-life experience also captivates Chantal Nastasi from the editorial team of NDR Kultur: “Intrigues, family entanglements, diseases, friendships that break, power, and court ceremonies – one eagerly follows Mariann's thoughts and feelings and never feels like they are reading a historical novel. The language is lightly adapted in tone to the period but remains modern. A book that enchants and, through precise research, offers a new perspective on the Mozart family.”
The evening will be rounded off with musical contributions from Irina Maurer. The catering will be provided by wonderfulBAR Eventgastronomie. The Wächterbach Altstadt bookstore Dichtung & Wahrheit will provide a book table.
Admission: 6:30 PM
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
