How Fanny Mendelssohn fought sexism with music

As part of its special day of programming for International Women’s Day, BBC Radio 3 will broadcast a live performance of the Easter Sonata, a major piano work which until recently had been attributed to Felix Mendelssohn, but is now proved to be the work of his sister Fanny.

Sheila Hayman is a filmmaker, writer and direct descendant of Fanny Mendelssohn. She explains to Mishal Husain how, "despite complete discouragement", her great-great-great grandmother overcame the attitudes of the time to compose 500 pieces of music.

(Image: Fanny Mendelssohn. Credit: BBC)