Allen & Unwin Soundscapes book English Paperback 288 pages

An extraordinary and poignant memoir for all musicians, spiritual thinkers and musical laymen by Paul Robertson, first violinist of the Medici String Quartet.

In 2008, the renowned violinist Paul Robertson suffered a ruptured aorta. After dying momentarily on the operating table, he remained in a coma for many weeks. During this time, he experienced visions which afforded him a profound insight into the relationship between music and the mind. When he awoke, he found his understanding of the world - and beyond - fundamentally altered.This surprising and rewarding memoir offers a singular perspective on creative endeavour: the rigours of learning, the challenges of performance and the spiritual nourishment that drives us on. It is a poignant and wise book that draws on a lifetime's experiences, in both life and death.

For nearly forty years Professor Paul Robertson performed throughout the world as leader of the internationally renowned Medici String Quartet, of which he was a founder member. They recorded and broadcast prolifically and appeared at International Festivals across four continents. He died in 2016.