Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn

Take a celebrated musical genius, sibling rivalry, an unknown manuscript, some very persistent research and one sensational revelation, and what have you got? FANNY: THE OTHER MENDELSSOHN – the documentary from BAFTA-winning director Sheila Hayman that features global Decca star, Isata Kanneh-Mason.

The film reveals the extraordinary story of Fanny, a composer long sidelined to her famous brother Felix by the guardians of classical music, who despite being forbidden a musical career persevered, composing 450 works in her short life. Fanny’s lost masterpiece, ‘The Easter Sonata’, is brought to life by virtuoso pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. As she explores the music, the parallels between her life and Fanny’s – including the challenge of being a pioneer with few role models in classical music – become clear.