Bridget MacRae (principal cellist, Munich Chamber Orchestra) and Roberto Russo gave the world première performance of Tales from the 15th Floor for cello and piano in Italy in 2003 (Sept 7th Ascoli/ Sept 8th Grottammare). The piece was inspired by an astonishing series of events in the composer's life back in 1977.
 
"In 1977 a rare virus left me totally paralysed. The virus then attacked the internal organs and I began a spell of some four months, mostly unconscious, in intensive care. For much of the time I experienced quite horrific hallucinations and for some odd reason in many of them Frank Sinatra was trying to kill me. So in the third movement of this piece I have made brief reference to one of his most famous songs, New York, New York. But in my waking moments there were a number of loving and even amusing moments and all contribute to this musical account of time on the 15th floor of the hospital." - MS