During the Weimar Republic era, alongside Richard Strauss, the then oft-performed composer Walter Braunfels was considered an important exponent of a moderate modernism. Despite his Jewish roots, his works are characterized by a deep Christian humanism. Written in 1933, Verkündigung ("The Annunciation"), set in medieval times, reflects on the major issues of that time, including a search for meaning behind undeserved suffering. Ulf Schirmer leads the Münchner Rundfunkorchester with renowned soprano Juliane Banse and rising tenor Matthias Klink in the main roles.