READER CHOICE

Alf Campbell Penrith

Though your February Timepiece feature about Schumann throwing himself into the Rhine was interesting, I’d prefer to focus on a happier link between the composer and the river by heading a few kilometres upstream. Schumann’s depiction of Cologne Cathedral in his ‘Rhenish’ Symphony is, in my opinion, almost as inspiring as the building itself and for me brings back happy memories of a visit to the city many years ago. Riccardo Muti’s recording with the Vienna Philharmonic is my favourite.