Re-Imagining Classical Music

Adam Ockelford talks about musical genius in this Derek Paravicini speech. Paravicini was a piano student of Ockelford’s who became a child prodigy, performing massive concerts by age seven. Paravicini is blind and has severe autism, as a result of being born prematurely. While he has had some difficulty communicating, he’s always been passionate about sound. Derek taught himself to play the piano at age four, before Ockelford began giving him lessons.

Paravicini can play just about anything on the piano. In this gripping keynote, he plays a variety of classical songs for the audience. After playing ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee,' Derek shows the audience that he is able to instantly re-imagine these songs. He plays the song again, but in the key of B minor, and then G minor.

Paravicini understands sound in a way that most people never could. He can play almost any song from memory, and is able to learn new songs in just moments.