Derek Plays an Unexpected Request, Twice! 💑 The Tennessee Waltz

Which version of the Tennesee Waltz do you prefer - One of the interesting things about Derek is that he doesn't always have to actually play a piece to have learnt it. He can hear something a few times in the background and years, even decades later he has it ready at his fingertips to play. In this case no-one had heard Derek play the Tennessee Waltz before, yet he had it ready to improvise on at a moment's notice on request!💑
A year later, we decided to ask if Derek would like to play the Tennessee Waltz for us once again, and he approached it in a completely different way. So we put both takes together to show you the contrast in his improvisations! Which one do you prefer?? =)
👨🎹ABOUT DEREK:
#derekparavicini is a musical savant. His extraordinary talent developed alongside blindness, severe autism and learning difficulties. With the gift of perfect pitch, a photographic musical memory, the ability to transpose anything instantly to any key, and his incredible abilities to learn by ear and improvise, Derek loves connecting with people via his music and absolutely loves taking requests for songs, styles and keys!
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🎼MUSIC INFO🎼
Piece / Song: The Tennessee Waltz
Composer: Pee Wee King
Lyrics: Redd Stewart & Fred Rose
#piano #tennesee #waltz

[@sitjar]

Would it be possible to do a video of Derek listening to a tune he's never heard and then replicating it after one listen? Something not too simple but not too easy either.

[@derekparavicini]

Good idea! It might be a while until we can do some more new filming with Derek, but we've actually got some things in mind for videos like that. Derek always enjoys doing that.

[@antuanos]

@@derekparavicini Please do! That's one of things I enjoy with Derek, but there are so few clips of him doing that.

[@sitjar]

@@derekparavicini I've heard Adam Ockelford mention this skill of his in particular. It would be fascinating to see how much he can take in after one listen? Perhaps some Brad Mehldau?

[@derekparavicini]

There are already a few good examples of this on KZbin actually. There's this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHLboGlml9asqpY and also here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2WagK1pgdKLj7Mm40s at 24:40 and also here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn_GeZ-sbauGrc0m52s at 18:52 where you can see Derek playing back phrases from classical music played by another pianist. Those last two videos are very interesting and show a lot of Derek's other amazing abilities, like changing mid-piece to any given key and building pieces on a few random notes. Although it's not in the video, this improvisation here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mqf4OspJloraM was played by Derek immediately after first hearing the original piece on loop a few times too.

[@Zoologic21]

If you watch the channel 5 documentary on him, at the 7:20 mark, you get to witness his fantastic replicating abilities. He went to Sheffield and some people doubted his memory, so he went to go and prove himself by listening to a piece for the first time and playing it perfectly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6u8lWuZnsSLa6M

[@geoffthomson1686]

I loved both of them. The second stuck to the tune closely so he was playing it the way it was written, whereas the first was Derek having fun with it in his own brilliant way. Thanks Derek :)

[@discreetfire]

Such a gift to the world you are Derek. Both of your versions are CAPTIVATING!

[@secretsquirrel5566]

There simply are no words in any known language that can describe the abilities of this man.

[@CornishMiner]

I think both versions were great and suited the context they were played in.

[@leviwarbrick4859]

Everyone on these videos shares abundant praise for Derek and every one of the aspects that makes him a wonderful human being, so I'd like to take a second to acknowlege the people caring for and supporting him to continue doing what he does best and sharing his talent with the world. I'm sure it's difficult at times but you've made a great many people's lives brighter in doing so, not just Derek's, so thank you.

[@derekparavicini]

Thank you, that means a lot. It's truly our privilege to help Derek touch people by sharing his talent with the world!

[@certaintyisabsurd]

Both are very nice to hear. The second version is my favorite. Thank you for sharing, Derek.

[@chrisofnottingham]

It was obviously better the second time - because he practiced it the previous year.

[@pollyling8852]

Is very difficult to make a choice, I like them both.

[@derekparavicini]

Indeed! They both have different things to enjoy. =)

[@oldenglishandlyre]

Second version, but both are excellent

[@VivianSmiling]

Thank you, Derek! I like the 2nd version more. In addition, I enjoy listening to Derek's conversation with anyone in his videos. 💖

[@joeyserrapede]

I preferred the second one. Love your playing man, keep on rockin’~

[@monaandersen2123]

Tema with variation perfect SOLIE deo gloria Amen

[@pollyling8852]

Love to listen to his piano and voice. Love to Adam too. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@robertlafnear7034]

This is the way it should be played !

[@stephboeker7835]

This 2nd version is best to me. I hear a bit of Gospel sound in it and that gets me emotional every time. Request : Avalon and/or Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans

[@nickspitzer1896]

Both versions were excellent anything from Derek is a pleasure

[@glenmorangieff]

the second version is absolutely magic!

[@howardebenstein3204]

Wow - both so different and both so great. No need to choose!

[@parakeethunter5176]

Both are super ⚡although the first one was so shocking, saved it to the watch again so quickly.

[@jeffsond]

Excellent Derek and thank you. I’m guessing the thumbs down is from a person that smashed their fingers from the lid of the piano and can’t play piano anymore. Only wishing they could play like You!

[@rvllctt871]

Does Derek ever say he knows, but doesn't ... you didn't sound convinced? The second version was my favourite ... it seemed like Derek had thought about it a bit in the meantime and there was a more wistful feeling with subtler playing, especially at the beginning and end of the piece ... the jazz bits were a nice touch. It's odd but one phrase sounds very much like "I Still Call Australia Home" which has the same sense of sentimental longing ... maybe Peter Allen was remembering it from his childhood and calling back to it. He was born in rural Australia and would have listened to a lot of this sort of music. Perhaps Derek could have a listen to it and see if he likes it ... it's a bit of an Australian anthem for expats and even brings a tear to the eye for those of us at home.

[@VivianSmiling]

Dear Derek, Would you play the hymn "Morning has broken", please? I love this song so much but couldn't find anyone playing it nicely after I graduated from the secondary school. Miss Chung, my music teacher, played it so well and taught the class singing it. I believe with your perfect pitch and talent in playing piano, you can play it brilliantly. I particularly like the introduction and the music between verses. Looking forward to your performance of the hymn. Thank you!💖😘 Best wishes, Vivian

[@derekparavicini]

We will absolutely ask Derek to play Morning has Broken! Might be a little while until we can do more new filming, but we'll do it at some point for sure. =)

[@VivianSmiling]

@@derekparavicini, Wow! Smiling happily here. Thank you so much! 😘😘😘👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@derekparavicini]

This request took us a little while to get around to what with COVID disrupting our sessions, but we hope you enjoy it now! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2iXXpJvq9B9lc0 Thankks again for the request.🌞

[@VivianSmiling]

@@derekparavicini Awesome! I have just listened to it. Absolutely brilliant! Love it! Thank you so much Derek, Kelly and everyone in the team! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💜

[@xman_hall]

Wow this song is beautiful. I like the second version better. has a hymn vibe to it. Like more soulful.

[@SamuelLiebermann]

Is it possible to have Derek listen to a beginning of a piece he never heard before and let him improvise the rest?

[@Bubs0271]

Yes. You can have him listen to NO beginning, and have him improvise the rest.

[@rvllctt871]

I was thinking this is what he did here.

[@SamuelLiebermann]

@@rvllctt871 In this piece he is "just" performing something he heard years ago once but never played.

[@joeykitty8678]

and of course the Derek super fan Polly Ling beat me to the first comment, even though i clicked on the video pretty well as soon as it was uploaded... xD o.o haha, but it's ok! ^-^ The first version was my personal favourite, but i liked the second one, too, and anything he plays is amazing, obviously. I always love Derek!

[@pollyling8852]

I am so sorry l was the first 😏

[@joeykitty8678]

@@pollyling8852 Hey, it's perfectly ok. I'm happy to both be super fans of Derek's amazing skill! ;)

[@carolinegray3150]

I like both and very good too

[@JohnTownshend]

Some James Booker please! ❤️

[@leeandadaelliott]

Obviously Derek simply owns the piano. Just wondering, is there any other instrument he can play anywhere near as well?

[@negoronegoro1265]

2nd the best

[@SamuelLiebermann]

Can Derek play 2nd waltz by Shostakovich? Also: Matcia alla turca - Beethoven Entry march of the Boyars Britta polka Thanks!

[@dst0763]

Unbegreiflich! Unbelievable!

[@yurko1976]

1

[@whoopjohn]

I liked number 2 better

[@jeanneharrison8120]

First one