Doors open at 6:00pm, with piano performance from 7:00pm
Screening begins at 7:30pm
Panel discussion to follow from 9:00pm
£35 General Admission | £30 Patron Priority
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 – a documentary from BAFTA-winning director, and direct descendent, Sheila Hayman that features global Decca star, Isata Kanneh-Mason. Pianist Alyssa Herzinger will perform pieces by Fanny Mendelssohn for the first time in the 200 years since they were written.
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. As moving as it is joyous, and shot on location in Berlin, New York, London, Oxford and Buckingham Palace, FANNY: THE OTHER MENDELSSOHN is the story of a very modern woman – who just happened to live 200 years ago.
Film run time: 96 min.
This event is hosted in partnership with Steinway & Sons.
Alyssa Herzinger, Pianist
Alyssa Herzinger is a musician, writer, and actor from the United States, now based in London. After sustaining a debilitating arm injury, she pivoted from classical piano to voice and theatre, and gained an MFA in Actor-Musicianship from Rose Bruford College. She has returned to her artistic roots now to develop an actor-musician play based on Fanny’s life using her own compositions. She is honoured to be the first to perform and record two of the pieces included in the evening’s programme. The sheet music is available to everyone for free thanks to HenselPushers.com.
Alyssa will perform the following pieces:
