Cellist Turns to Fiction When Music Career is Interrupted

Forty-One-South staff

So, what does a musician do when he can no longer play his instrument?  In David Beem’s case, he has redirected his creative energy to writing: His first novel, “Abyss of Chaos,” was published in August.

Beem, whom Evansville audiences may remember as principle cellist for the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (2002-2007) and founder of the Eykamp Quartet here, had to give up a promising musical career when he was diagnosed with “Focal Dystonia in 2008.

          The neurological disorder interferes with muscle and motion control. It can strike anywhere on the body.

In Beem’s case it was his left hand.

          Beem is a South Bend, IN native who said his interest in the cello began in high school and continued on through college; after a stint at Indiana University where he studied under Janos Starker, he went on to the Eastman School of Music where he received a Bachelor’s of Music and Performance Certificate.

          Before joining the Evansville Philharmonic in 2002, he pursued performance opportunities across the United State and Canada, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea.

          He moved back to South Bend in 2007 where he helped found the Euclid Quartet. A year later he began having trouble playing his instrument; his fingers simply would not do what he wanted them to do.

           “The last time I performed with the quartet was in September 2008,” he said.

          “I was 36 when I got my diagnosis. Recovery is a long, long road, with lots of detective work along the way and no guarantee that I'd ever regain control of my left hand,” he said, adding, “Treatment wasn't something that was compatible with the Euclid Quartet's schedule, and I didn't feel that I'd be playing at a competitive level in auditions against younger, fresher talent if I ever recovered enough to try and get back into the swing of a cello career.”

“Abyss of Chaos,” is a story about “A dying Ethiopian Priest, a cryptic prophesy, a centuries-lost map and the fabled lost Ark of the Covenant,” Beem said of his plot summary.

          His protagonist, Maxwell Sinclair, is a cellist.

          In the spirit of “Indiana Jones,” “The DaVinci Code” and other genre novels, Beem sends Sinclair on a quest: “A great evil stirs, but Maxwell Sinclair simply wants to do right by his Godfather’s unusually high expectations,” he writes.

          “As the world teeters on the precipice of chaos, Max hastens to retrace the footsteps of Menelik, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, though (his) actions may have unintended consequences.

          “Pack your bags for the thrill of your life, but hurry…”

          A reviewer for the online bookseller, Amazon.com, writes:

          “This is a wonderful read – jam packed with action, humor and truly interesting history. It would really appeal to anyone who liked "DaVinci Code" or the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" series. I loved that I also learned something about a legend that I had no idea about – that the Arc of the Covenant resides in Ethiopia. I got so interested in this topic and was glad to find so much more info on it at the author's website (www.davidbeem.wordpress.com).

          “I also loved the characters, particularly the hero, Max Sinclair. He's funny and smart, and his background as professional cellist makes him more interesting than other action heroes. I hope that the author is working on another book now, and I hope that we learn more of Max's life as a cellist!”

“Abyss of Chaos” is currently available from online booksellers (list price $13). A Kindle edition should be available in September, Beem said.

And a sequel, with the working title, “The Philosopher’s Game” is already on its way he added.