Title: Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn (Mercury Studios)

Genre: Documentary / Classical music

Director: Sheila Hayman

Website: mercurystudios.co

Tell me more: Even classical music aficionados may not be familiar with the life and music of composer Fanny Mendelssohn, the gifted older sister of Felix Mendelssohn. An outstanding new documentary film written, produced and directed by Sheila Hayman (the three times great granddaughter of Fanny Mendelssohn) goes a long way to celebrate the remarkable musical life of Fanny (editor's note: her last name was changed to Hensel after she married). Although she passed away at the young age of 41 after suffering a stroke in May 1847, Fanny composed a rich collection of original music — 467 of her works survive today including a piano trio, a piano quartet, four cantatas and 125 pieces for the piano.

Key moments of Fanny Mendelssohn's life are highlighted across the 97-minute documentary "Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn," with modern day artists and classical music researchers putting together a story whose center is the finding and authentication of Fanny's brilliant Easter Sonata — a work that had been lost for 150 years and then — when found — inaccurately credited to her brother. Famed British piano prodigy Isata Kanneh-Mason is featured performing and discussing selections from the powerful Easter Sonata. 

Fanny lived in a society where women were not encouraged or afforded the opportunities of men in pursing a career making music. Indeed, Fanny was widely acknowledged for her gifts as a pianist. However, as viewers will learn watching this fascinating and essential film, Fanny's immense talent and strong belief in her work outdistanced the social conventions of her time. Indeed, shortly before her death, she published a collection of songs despite objections from her famous brother.

Hopefully Hayman's wonderful and compelling film — as well as the timeless power of Fanny's music created at the dawn of the Romantic era — will result in a much greater and enduring appreciation of Fanny Mendelssohn.

The physical edition of "Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn" includes a copy of the documentary film on both Blu-ray and DVD. The title is available via amazon.com.