Chalke Valley composer who became blind in the ICU teases new work

Michael Stimpson, 74, contracted a rare neurological virus that left him unconscious for over four months and suffering intense hallucinations from the continuous morphine.

When he regained consciousness, he was paralysed and had extremely limited eyesight.

Following months of intensive physiotherapy, Mr Stimpson was able to return to his instrument, the classical guitar.

Michael in his early years, pre-illness. (Image: Michael Stimpson)

Mr Stimpson, who lives in the Chalke Valley, went on to become a prolific composer, studying at the Royal Academy of Music and later earning his Masters and Doctorate in Composition at the University of Southampton.

Despite subsequently suffering from a brain tumour that left him with directional hearing loss, Mr Stimpson remains an active composer.

His latest work, Tales from the 15th Floor, is a personal account of his experience in the intensive care unit nearly 50 years ago.

It has been performed by Karen Stephenson, on cello, and Sophia Rahman, on piano.

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Sophia Rahman and Karen Stephenson. (Image: Michael Stimpson)

Mr Stimpson told the Journal about how his time in the ICU affected him, and still does to this day.

He said: "Although more than 40 years ago, many memories of the time in ICU are still with me, not least the pain and multiple morphine injections of which the resulting hallucinations could be quite scary or horrific.

"I would occasionally be woken and communicate by blinking at the right letter of a spoken alphabet. Over time I became institutionalised and this new life became the norm."

However, Mr Stimpson praised the care and attention he received at Charing Cross Hospital.

He added: "A bonus was when one nurse in ICU became head of the rehabilitation ward and going there months later I was unbelievably spoilt, even being allowed to go out to the pub after other patients had been put to bed - purely for rehabilitation purposes of course."

Watch the recording session

In celebration of his 75th birthday, on October 5 Mr Stimpson will release the world premiere recording of this personal and moving work.

Michael Stimpson's music has been performed, commissioned, and recorded by some of the UK’s most distinguished artists and his works have been performed across the world.

Tales from the 15th Floor will be available as part of the album 'When The Light Shines' and can be pre-ordered from major retailers.

A booklet will also be included in the seven-CD box release, coinciding with the single CD release, which includes anecdotes from Mr Stimpson's time in the ICU.