You may be familiar with the name and music of the composer Felix Mendelssohn but what about the life and work of his sister Fanny? We talked to Shelia Hayman, a direct descendent of the Mendelssohns and an expert on Fanny's life and music.
Fanny Mendelssohn was a musical genius born into a world that refused to see her. A prodigious composer and pianist, she wrote over 450 works—many confined to private salons or published under her brother Felix’s name due to 19th-century sexism. Despite her brilliance, societal norms deemed composition "unfeminine," and even her own family discouraged a public career. Yet Fanny persevered, carving a legacy that now resounds louder than ever—a voice once silenced, finally heard.
Excerpt taken from the documentary "Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn". You can check out the official trailer below. If you're interested you can purchase the entire film on Amazon Prime.
Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn - Official Trailer
Fanny Mendelssohn: Overture in C Major (ROCO)
Piano Trio in D minor, op. 11 (Allegro molto vivace)
Fanny Mendelssohn: Piano Music
