Derek Paravicini
| Derek Paravicini | |
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Derek Paravicini at the keyboard, 20 April 2008.
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| Born | 26 July 1979 |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Music ability |
| Website | www |
Derek Paravicini (born 26 July 1979) is a blind English autistic savant and a musical prodigy. Where he resides in London.
Paravicini was born extremely prematurely, at 25 weeks. His blindness was caused by an overdosage of oxygen therapy given during his time in a neonatal intensive care unit. This also affected his developing brain, resulting in his severe learning disability. He also has symptoms of autism.
He has absolute pitch and can play a piece of music after hearing it once. He began playing the piano at the age of two when his nanny gave him an old keyboard. 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. Aged seven, Paravicini gave his first concert in Tooting Leisure Centre in South London.
In 1989, at the age of nine, Paravicini had his first major public concert at the Barbican Hall in London when he played with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra. In that year, he appeared on Wogan and was the main subject of a documentary called Musical Savants.
When he was older, he was presented with a Barnardo's Children's Champion Award by Diana, Princess of Wales for his performances at age seven and nine. More opportunities followed, including playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.
Paravicini's first album Echoes of the Sounds to Be was released on 27 September 2006. His official biography, In the Key of Genius by Adam Ockelford, was published in the UK by Hutchinson () on 3 May 2007.
He was featured on an episode of Channel 5's 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. He was interviewed twice by Lesley Stahl for 60 Minutes. In 2009, he was one of the subjects of the NOVA series' episode "Musical Minds", featuring neurologist Oliver Sacks, on PBS. He was featured a second time by 60 Minutes on 14 March 2010. In 2009, he performed for the former Chancellor Alistair Darling, when he unexpectedly played Big Spender.
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