Mendelssohn: the Nazis and Me

Mendelssohn: The Nazis and Me is a compelling documentary film from 2009 that effectively delves into the complex and compelling history of one of the most illustrious and influential composers of the Romantic Period, Felix Mendelssohn. The film explores the uneasy legacy of Mendelssohn and his works in Nazi Germany, where his music was initially famed but later banned, and the personal journey of the film’s creator, Sheila Hayman, who herself is a descendant of the Mendelssohn family.

The film intricately explores the intricate relationship between culture, politics, and music, and how these facets of society together play a role in determining an artist’s legacy. Specifically, the Mendelssohn's story is brought to life through the lens of the Nazis’ love-hate relationship with Mendelssohn's work, largely due to his Jewish heritage— a point which lends the documentary its considerable emotional weight.

The filmmaker, Sheila Hayman, takes the viewer on a personal journey as she seeks to understand her distant relative's extraordinary life and legacy while also grappling with his complicated posthumous reputation. This adds a significant human element to the film; it is not just an academic exploration of Mendelssohn's life, but a deeply personal investigation into family, heritage, and identity.

Beyond its documentary scope, Mendelssohn: The Nazis and Me also serves as a fascinating window into the suppressive cultural policies of Nazi Germany, shown through the symbolic battles over Mendelssohn's music. As the narrative unfolds, Hayman interrogates the reasons why the Nazis, who initially celebrated Mendelssohn's music, eventually turned against him in an act of cultural purification, despite Mendelssohn being a protestant by faith, owing to his grandfather's conversion to Christianity. This insightful analysis makes the film a valuable source for those interested in cultural history, as well as music history.

The film leverages a diverse range of resources to form its narrative, integrating information from newspaper clippings, photographs, interviews, and scholarly research. Hayman reaches out to various historians, musicians, and academics in her quest to unpack Mendelssohn's multifaceted legacy. Their expert insights enhance the film’s depth and complexity, and ensure that every aspect of Mendelssohn's life, from his faith and his music to his family's history, is covered as comprehensively as possible, making for a rich viewing experience.

Of great interest to music lovers will be the film's exploration of Mendelssohn's music, which is both enjoyable and instructive. Clips of performances, supplemented by expert commentary, bring Mendelssohn's works to life and help viewers understand their significance in the music world. Equally profound insights are offered on the contrasting perspectives of Mendelssohn’s music, from its initial reception to its suppression under the Nazis, and its gradual reintroduction after WWII. The film offers an incredibly nuanced analysis of how a composer's public image can be manipulated, exacerbated, or suppressed according to societal pressures and cultural norms.

All the threads of the narrative culminate in Hayman’s own psychological journey as she is deeply moved by the composer's story, that echoes within her own personal identity and sense of self. By the film's end, viewers will likely feel a direct emotional resonance with Mendelssohn, not only as a significant composer but also as a deeply human individual grappling with a complex sociopolitical reality.

In conclusion, Mendelssohn: The Nazis and Me is a fascinating historical documentary that successfully marries music studies, cultural history, and personal testimony. This 2009 film delves deep into the figure of Felix Mendelssohn and the fluctuating fortunes of his music under the Nazis, while also casting light on the complex issues relating to identity, heritage, family, and the wider impact of politics on art. The film invites the viewers to ponder upon these provocative themes, while offering a rich listening and learning experience for anyone passionate about history, music, or both.