London — It came to him in a vision 35 years ago, during his darkest days. After Stuart Sharp’s baby son, named Ben, died, Stuart began seeing a musical masterpiece in his mind. He could not read or write music but the tunes were so vivid he was determined to turn the ‘imaginary’ sounds into a symphony in memory of his lost child.
His symphonic dream led to problems in his marriage, and ultimately divorce. He began drinking heavily, and Stuart eventually became homeless for 10 years.
“On the night of Ben’s funeral I had a vision of soothing, beautiful music and it gave me great comfort,” Stuart told the Daily Mail recently. “I could see the whole orchestra playing and as I watched I could see all the individual notes being played on the different instruments. But I came to understand that it was music for my son and I could see it on stage one day.”
A chance encounter with jazz musician Anthony Walde turned his life around. Stuart was playing notes from his symphony on a guitar (which he taught himself to play to give his music life), and Walde offered him both a place to stay and to transcribe the music.
Stuart eventually became a self-made millionaire, and finished his symphony.
The romantic symphony, which is filled with string instrumental sections, has astounded professional musicians.
“Stuart’s vision for his musical work was remarkable and it’s quite astounding that a non-professional musician has come up with something of this quality,’ Alan Wilson, conductor of the Philharmonica Orchestra of London, told the Daily Mail. I guess it’s a bit like someone attempting brain surgery without ever going to medical school – genius.”
There’s a simple lesson here, but rather than expound on it, I suggest you read the full article for yourself. It will inspire you and give you hope.
