Extraordinary People - The Musical Genius (Full Show)

Paravicini was born extremely prematurely, at 25 weeks.[1] 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.[2] He also has autism.
He has absolute pitch and can play a piece of music after hearing it once. He began playing the piano by 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.[3][4] Aged seven, he 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. Aged ten he was presented with a Barnardo's Children's Champion Award by Diana, Princess of Wales.[2] More opportunities followed, including playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.[4] Paravicini is a resident at the Royal National Institute of the Blind.[4]
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.[3] In 2009 he was one of the subjects of the NOVA series' episode, "Musical Minds", featuring neurologist Oliver Sacks, on PBS.[5] He was featured a second time by 60 Minutes on 14 March 2010.[6] In 2009 he performed for the former Chancellor Alistair Darling, when he unexpectedly played Big Spender.[2]
On 13 May 2010 Paravicini made legal history when the United Kingdom's last remaining secret court was opened for the first time to discuss his future care. The Court of Protection, which controls the future of adults incapable of managing their own affairs, appointed Paravicini's family to look after his welfare and commercial future. Until that legal decision was made the Official Solicitor from the Ministry of Justice had been looking after his affairs, rather than his divorced parents, Nicolas Paravicini and Mary Ann Parker Bowles.[2]
On August 26, 2010 Derek was featured on the History Channel's Stan Lee's Superhumans. On the show Derek was subjected to testing which verified his savantism and superhuman musical ability. After improvising at two pianos with the composer Matthew King, for a radio programme made for BBC Radio 4, Derek and Matthew collaborated on a new Piano Concerto entitled Blue which was first performed with the Orchestra of St John's in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in September 2011. This is believed to be the first concerto ever composed for someone with learning disabilities.
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[@GMPfantasy]

Beethoven was devastated when he lost his hearing. So instead he says next life I'd rather lose my sight than my hearing. Amazing genius!

[@MarkTitus420]

I love Derrick's personality; he's a beautiful soul. I wish him well now and always.

[@JakubMarian]

He has also got a great sense of humour at 28:15: D: I can count numbers, Adam. A: Really? Which numbers can you count? D: One. A: Yeah? D: *that-was-all kind of silence* A: Excellent… So lovely :).

[@janicesmith2475]

I truly love Derek. I re-watch this video every so often. He’s just so so wonderful.

[@chapisimo]

what seems most surprising is the fact that hes a very sociable and happy guy for a person with his condition and limitations.

[@twangbarfly]

Fantastic documentary - the gulf between his mastery of music and his difficulties coping with the other things in the world is incredible. Still he seems to be enjoying himself, and he's warm and funny ... His approach with Rex was great. Where he sat down and played the same tune as that woman note for note had me on the floor, as did his instant recognition of 10-note chords - and more with the orchestra. This film certainly raises a lot of questions about musical ability.

[@surambaya]

Be thankful for what you have my friend. For every Daniel there are thousands of people that are blind and handicapped living in poverty. Daniel is one of a handful of savants on the planet - he is an extraordinary human being.

[@Rossgood]

It's amazing how they misunderstand Rex. When he's covering his ears and swaying back and forth, he's concentrating intensely on what Derek is playing. It's not that he doesn't like it, it's the opposite in fact. Derek plays physically how Rex wants to be able to (perfectly), so he gets excited when he hears the music being played like that. In a later video of Rex, it shows him doing those exact mannerisms while attempting to learn a piece in one hearing. That's how I know he's concentrating

[@ScifiGuitarguy]

Incredible. I would love to play music with Derek, he seems like such a joyful person to jam with!

[@aaronamccoy]

he's really got a great musical computer in his brain, spits out data with such precision, never seen anything like it

[@IronyMangopud]

I'm sorry but I love it when Derek flips out at Rex; "Rex!!!!!" xD Such a wonderful guy!

[@whalesgoaooarooaroo]

My favorite part of this, is that Derek really seems to be having fun. :)

[@springinasmalltown]

Thank God some one uploaded this fascinating documentary back on to KZbin! Just finished reading 'In the key of genius' and would highly recommend it. Would have loved to have seen Derek perform 'Rhapsody in blue' last year too!

[@Asheface11]

I'm sorry but that just cracked me up..."I can count numbers now", "oh you can count numbers huh?", "yes, one....". LOL

[@mrsconder02]

"Adam took me to the turbulence toilet." Haha, he is wonderful!

[@ruthhay8702]

Fascinating... I'm on the Spectrum myself and obsessed with music, but not a savant (far, far, from ever being a music savant, sadly...). He's amazing. Also the documentary made a lot of references to SID (Sensory Integration Disorder, a common comorbid of ASD - I'd say it creates most of the ASD symptoms, actually) without actually mentioning it. Like saying at the beginning that Derek hears all sounds because his brain doesn't automatically discriminate and discard most of them like your normal brain (this happens to me, too. It's terribly annoying). And poor Rex when they arrived in Las Vegas and he was just swamped with all the noise of the stage, and after a long trip listening to an aeroplane or car engine, too... No wonder he freaked out.

[@mairenicdhiarmada]

Well done Derek and Adam, two amazing people!

[@jdsweet3657]

This is where I fit in after a head injury when I was a kid. I write Classical music all the time.

[@sailorres]

:) what stood out to me so much was just how happy Derick was when playing, and it showed through his work. Amazing! I'm happy he found such joy!

[@babybass43]

WOW FANTASTIC!!! THANK YOU.

[@vegetariansrock99]

Absolutely Amazing! I really want to meet him! Brings tears to my eyes.

[@leonlitinsky2108]

Huge thanks to the film creators! Wonderfully executed with perfect rhythm of cinematography! Derek is a men of the future, communicating on a higher level compared to the rest of us.

[@mebaran]

"I CAN count numbers, Alan. One..." I lol'd a little. Great story though.

[@SlingyBoi]

28:18 "I can count numbers, Adam!" "Which numbers can you count?" "One!" Hilarious. Cute guy!

[@Gogglewearingfreak]

I would be soo grateful to meet Paravicini! You can tell that he's very friendly.

[@bevanbancroft4749]

Absolutely Amazing 😊👍

[@NightzelMusic]

Derek is such an inspiration! What an incredible person!

[@Degenerate_Gen]

"brown cheese" slayed me, he's hilarious hahaha

[@andrewlewis4040]

Beautiful!

[@SCARLETXXXTREME]

Amazing! Bravo Derek!

[@SafouanSouai]

Amazing Man and Awesome Talent

[@moshe219]

The "Basque tune" referred to is Israel's national anthem, Hatikvah. Derek went on to play a great variation of it. He is truly amazing.

[@ccramit]

Derek is amazing. With emotion or not, it is still an amazing talent.

[@reggaesoul16]

What a boss! I love this guy! Keep doin your thang, bro.

[@TheModernTiger]

eggs, eggs! EGGS!

[@melyb55]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@MuffinsAreCarrots]

Best thing i've ever seen: This AMAZING chap and Jools Holland

[@TheCod6freak]

holy shit, i have trouble even getting my fingers to the pace of flight of the bumblebee yet blind he can still play it on two separate pianos without a single error. hats off to you sir.

[@11Beautifullies]

Gosh I love the jazz tune so much, btw they truly inspired me !

[@KagamineKataRINa]

Touched my heart... :) ♥

[@nickmonk7945]

What a star ! ❤️

[@EdeniaHojane]

AMAZING

[@hollieartistward1]

Amazing man

[@vampiregirl7195]

Another one of the few people I salut!

[@vVASuP]

They should have had him play with a savant that has proven their willingness to play with others. It would be great to hear Paravicini with another very knowledgeable savant.

[@jimmyjudha8424]

Another aspect is Derek is very kind so he refuses to say that the melody is wrong. Even the scientist intentionally design the test for testing his logic. I think this is good skill to improvise and enjoy Jazz music. The EEG make me appreciate in his skill indeed.

[@cilluzza08]

Amazing!!!

[@Jerome...]

FANTASTIC

[@Sophie_424]

wow, just wow. What an amazing man!

[@panda501329]

He is awesome.

[@hotchocolate1913]

THANKS FOR THE UPLOAD,I ENJOYED IT XD!

[@user-er5ny4yb1s]

incredible

[@snickpickle]

I can do a lot of that stuff, yet I cannot discern "block chords" and dissonances. This is just amazing! That, and I guess I need to practice more...

[@FabitapunkVlogsMx]

amazing

[@TheNuncFluens]

I love Derek's attitude, he seems really easygoing.

[@liveluminous]

he is truly inspirational.

[@pablovieravignale]

Más que un Beethoven moderno se asemeja más a un Bach moderno debido a su increíble oído técnico.

[@DontKnowACoolName]

this guy is so cool!!!!

[@lucywalker4541]

wow amazing

[@Oroyamaru]

I meant that he had a piano at either side of him, that kind of thing is kind of confusing because you're so used to having the piano IN FRONT of you. The fact that he doesn't have eye sight to help guide him through the keys, except hearing alone is freaking amazing. And that doesn't come unless you've been training for a really long time. Hence me being ashamed that I don't put as much effort in because I take everything for granted.

[@haniaabed4896]

Amazing

[@reecieboii]

its ok feel better you are able to see this video :)

[@SkyLinemusic117]

God given gift

[@rebeccacocker5924]

for a moment I thought the name of his mentor was: Doctor Awkward Foot

[@Oroyamaru]

When that man said "Every neuron is not wasted" I feel so ashamed of myself. Here's this amazing guy who is so talented and with deft hands, being able to play flight of the bumblebee with a piano on both sides while blind. Here I am wasting away my brain with useless junk and fanfiction instead of practicing piano and studying music theory. I feel so unworthy and ashamed.

[@interstella5555]

Did you get good at it now, after all these years?

[@Asheface11]

Its because you haven't found your true passion yet. Don't stop until you find it.

[@enikaliukineviciute43]

wow that's amazing

[@zPhresh]

I can't even walk down the stairs in the dark!

[@blackhoundful]

would love to meet this bloke.

[@MultiTomanic]

Truly extraordinery guy!

[@Redflowers9]

It's as if he looks at piano playing and life completely differently and yet it seems perfectly natural to him.

[@falconseye97]

Holy cow that guy is incredible!

[@twangbarfly]

Top class comment there my friend - really top class!

[@KazeUchiha]

I am extremely impressed with this. I only wish I could play the piano like that, or even at all... But around twelve minutes, those damn strobe lights... There really should have been a seizure warning in the description....

[@spikeluv84]

Why would someone want to sit there and challenge his gift? He already has enough challenges! Just let him be happy and play the piano.

[@reggaesoul16]

This reminds me of a neighbor I used to have. He was mentally disabled, but could complete jigsaw puzzles in like a minute.

[@michellegermanotta6265]

'It's blues baby!' *---*

[@AltairAuditore]

I feel like Rex's mother sees Rex as an opportunity while Adam appreciates the true beauty and unique ability of Derek. Just the demeanor of Rex's mom in these interviews makes me feel uneasy, she seems happy that Rex has his disabilities and the exposure because of it. While Adam has gotten the most out of Derek, he seems to understand that this is all that Derek has mentally and makes sure Derek has an enjoyable life as possible.

[@sweetgyy]

nice

[@thejamar4]

Dude, didn´t you listen? They mentioned that these two guys are blind, but they´re minds are special. They are smarter than any other musician.

[@VandalsUnited]

i wanna get my guitar and jam with this guy...but i dont think i could keep up haha :)

[@Ephimedius]

This guy allocated 95% of his skill points in music.

[@xXdenisexX101]

Rex is sooo cute awww

[@xxxFairyTale]

Adam reminds me a lot of Elias, the main character in 'Schlafes Bruder' (Brother of sleep). They have a lot in common, even though Elias is fictional.

[@HippodemusMusic]

Cool

[@grosx2]

28:18....that is some world class counting right there!

[@zhbroder]

15:39 and the BROWN CHEESE KIM are the best. I have kept up with derek since i first saw this doc years ago. marvelous, rich stuff

[@attitude191]

he is a genius

[@shotgunmasterQL]

He's quite cool

[@Quiznosftw]

im pretty sure that kid singing at the home with all the other kids is kodi lee.

[@jackerbeans1]

I wonder if there may be a bit of O, C, D as well,,,he likes repetition at great speeds. He just likes his music and they way to make it very fast and precise.

[@saladshla]

I can also do something similar to 13:50, but with picture cards. Someone could recite them for me, give me a couple of seconds to look at them all, flip the cards over, and I'd recite everything.

[@irenebz]

A Basque lullaby which was adapted by Naomi Shemer into the song 'Jerusalem of Gold', I believe.

[@sarannwrapp]

That woman, Cathleen, should be ashamed of herself for making her son do this at such a young age, when he is clearly not ready.

[@PaperPinches]

i can count numbers! oh wich numbers can you count? 1! :D

[@hpnc]

Time to reevaluate my life.

[@icturner23]

The ‘angry’ violin didn’t actually sound angry so it’s no wonder that Derek couldn’t do it either.

[@jtghm]

I wanna hear him play some video game music.

[@CeilidhOConnor]

I wish I could meet Derek.

[@dailydols]

made me laugh so hard :D