A comic book character is born, the youngest of sixteen, into a war torn country. Facing extreme brutality at school and on the streets, not to mention the oppression of the Catholic Church, he finds music. Armed with a violin and a burning passion, he escapes the madness and sets off to pursue his dreams.
“Get Beethoven!” is the inspirational story of Paul Cassidy’s life. Overcoming adversity in his younger years, Paul recounts tragedy, joy, horror and humour. Informative and entertaining, the book charts his journey up to joining the Brodsky Quartet in 1982.
"Did music save Paul Cassidy's life? Possibly. In his memoir of a childhood in 1970s Derry, the author recounts stories that are often hilarious, sometimes tragic, and occasionally terrifying. It's a miracle he lived to tell the tales, and also surprising that the impetuous youth who so vividly leaps out of these pages should have turned out to be a musician of rare wisdom and poise"
- Andrew Ford ABC Music Show
Paul has been a member of the Brodsky Quartet for nearly 40 years. He has performed more than 3000 concerts in over 60 countries and recorded in excess of 70 CDs. He has worked with a wide range of musicians and is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for programming, the Edison, Diapason and Choc du Monde Prizes.
This afternoon talk is an opportunity to hear more about the book and Paul’s life directly from the man himself. Advanced booking and social distancing will be required.