The Joy Of Music

For this week's Music On Friday we're off to explore another musical style and a musical genius who has given me more joy and astonishment than anyone else I've discovered in recent years. I have no idea how well-known he is, though I suspect not as well as I think he should be. Let me introduce you.

He began, like many other important musicians at an early age, first trying to play at the age of two and within a couple of years had taught himself a huge repertoire of pieces. His parents recognised his extraordinary talent and arranged for him to have lessons to refine his technique. By the age of nine he was playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at The Barbican. He's gone on to play concerts worldwide and make recordings.

His talents baffle even other professional musicians. For a start he has the gift of perfect pitch and can name any note he hears, including sounds from things like trains and vacuum cleaners. Lots of musicians have some of that ability and a few can even recognise two or three notes played simultaneously, but the musician we're discussing here can recognise more than a dozen notes played at the same time. He also has the ability to recall and play almost any song he's ever heard. Not only that but he can play them immediately in any key you like to name and in any number of styles. I'd better tell you his name...

Now if you've heard of him before you're going to think I've missed out something about him. If you've not heard the name you may be surprised by what comes next. Away from the piano his life has not been without challenges, but he's first and foremost a musician - and a very good musician at that. His name is Derek Paravicini and he also happens to be blind, autistic and have severe learning difficulties.

A few years ago I was working with a young boy who'd also been diagnosed as autistic. He was no musical genius though he did love music and possessed a fine sense of rhythm. I quite often brought CDs from home for him to listen to, some he liked and some he didn't care for. But he was immediately captivated by Derek's piano playing and listened intently to the whole recording...then wanted it played again...and again.

Derek puts lots of short videos on YouTube which you can find here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/derekparavicini where you'll also find links to many documentaries and talks about Derek's music.

But the one I enjoy most is this one with keynote speaker, Amy Brann, and his piano teacher and friend, Adam Ockleford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5vUyqXWuoY

which gives, for me at least, the most respectful insight into his talents.


Take care.