Derek Paravicini

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Derek Paravicini

Derek Paravicini at the keyboard, 20 April 2008.
Born July 26, 1979 (1979-07-26) (age 30)
Known for Music ability

Derek Paravicini (born July 26, 1979) is a blind English autistic savant and a musical prodigy. He currently lives in Surrey, England.

Paravicini was born extremely prematurely, at 25 weeks. (A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.) His blindness was caused by oxygen therapy given during his time in a neonatal intensive care unit. This also affected his developing brain, resulting in his severe learning disability. Furthermore Paravicini developed autism. However, he also has absolute pitch and can play a piece of music after hearing it once. He began playing the piano by the age of two. His parents arranged for him to attend the Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London. On his introductory visit to the school, in the music room he broke free from his parents, then headed straight for a piano being played, and then pushed the player, Adam Ockelford, aside to take over. Ockelford encouraged him and arranged first weekly and then daily lessons.[1][2]

In 1989, at the age of nine, Paravicini had his first major public concert at the Barbican Hall in London when he played with Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra. More opportunities followed, including playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.[2] Paravicini is a resident at the Royal National Institute of the Blind.[2] During the same year, Paravicini was the main subject of a documentary called Musical Savants. He was also featured in an episode of Five TV's series Extraordinary People in an episode titled "The Musical Genius", which showed his journey to Las Vegas to play in a charity concert with another savant, Rex Lewis-Clack. In addition, he was interviewed by Lesley Stahl for 60 Minutes.[1] In 2009 he was one of the subjects of the NOVA series' episode, "Musical Minds," featuring neurologist Oliver Sacks, on PBS.[3] He was featured a second time by 60 Minutes on March 14, 2010.[4]

Contents

[edit] Inside his brain

Though autism is thought to be the source of Derek's extraordinary musical ability, his blindness may contribute. Because Derek is blind, the part of his brain that would normally be used for sight and light detection could be used for extra auditory ability. Derek is able – with a great deal of precision and accuracy – to detect and recognise not just one but multiple notes played at once (so far he can distinguish over 20 notes).

[edit] Family

Paravicini is the great-grandson of author William Somerset Maugham. His step-mother is Susan Rose "Suki" Phipps (born 1941), who was brought up by Fitzroy Maclean, one of the models for James Bond.

Paravicini's official biography, In the Key of Genius by Adam Ockelford, was published in the UK by Hutchinson on May 3, 2007.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Meet Musical Savant Rex: Lesley Stahl Checks In On A Boy With An Extraordinary Musical Talent". CBS, 60 Minutes. October 23, 2005. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/20/60minutes/main957718_page3.shtml. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  2. ^ a b c Darold Treffert, MD. "Derek Paravicini". Wisconsin Medical Society. http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_profiles/derek_paravicini. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  3. ^ NOVA: Musical Minds
  4. ^ Posting on Derek Paravicini's blog http://derekparavicinisblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/derek-on-cbs-60-minutes.html

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Paravicini"
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