Performer: Florian Boesch

A traditional Lieder programme at the Edinburgh International Festival brings songs concerned with love, celebrating its joys but more often lamenting its loss and its pains. 

A Schumann premiere at the BBC Proms, revived with loving care by Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO. 

After an idea of baritone Florian Boesch and director Nikolaus Habjan, the Musicbanda Franui recomposes Schubert for a staged performance at Berlin's Staatsoper, opening up new perspectives into the interpretation of the well-known song cycle.

Contemplation and reflection should ideally form a counterpoint to jollity and merry-making in the festive season: an object-lesson from Sir Simon Rattle and his supporting forces.

Problems of balance bedevilled a fine programme of some of Weill's most bitter, ironical works which improved substantially after the interval.