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Derek Paravicini - Musical Genius

  • 03-04-2008 9:25pm
    #1
    BaZmO*
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭


    Somebody linked this in the Cool Vids thread in After Hours and I thought it might be more appreciated here.
    The Musical Genius - Derek Paravicini
    Derek, now in his mid twenties, was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties. However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound, and, by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of pieces on the piano, of some melodic and harmonic complexity (such as 'Smoke Gets in your Eyes'). Almost inevitably, with no visual models to guide him, his technique was chaotic, and even his elbows would frequently be pressed into service, as he strove to reach intervals beyond the span of his tiny hands!

    Having just read "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat" by Oliver Sacks, which is a collection of short studies of various neurological disorders, many touching on autism and extraordinary talents despite disabilities, I found this absolutely fascinating.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kwjDLHX92w


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