Ockelford, Adam. In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini.London: Hutchinson. 1988. Print.
First Sentences:
Description:
I glanced again at the diminutive figure on my right, shock of blond hair weaving incessantly from side to side with the rhythmic rocking of his head; fingers pressed so hard into his eye sockets that the globes bulged outwards from behind their lids; thumbs stuffed comfortingly (yet somehow disturbingly) deep into his mouth....
Not for the first time that day, the whole idea of what was about to happen seemed utterly ridiculous
Description:
Remember my big three for great books? Plot, Character, and Writing Style. Well, Adam Ockelford's In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini proves that if the plot and character are uniquely fascinating, the writing style does not have to be more that serviceable to make the book a page-turner.
Ockelford, a music teacher, takes up the pen to describe the almost unbelievable life of his student, Derek Paravicini, and his rise to fame as a blind pianist who can play any music in any key and any style. (watch Derek play on a recent 60 Minutes segment or Musical Genius on British television.).
But Derek has other challenges besides his blindness, preventing him from functioning in many basic ways. He cannot hold up a correct amount of fingers when asked to, cannot tell which finger is which, cannot tell left from right, and is confused by other simple everyday concepts. He cannot dress or feed himself, and only has minimal conversational skills.
Who could not want to read more about this extraordinary savant?
Derek Paravicini was born three and a half months prematurely and, due to oxygen procedures to keep him alive at an ill-equipped hospital, was rendered blind and brain damaged. But he survived and thrived, mainly due to the untiring efforts of his nanny who years earlier had nursed and been a companion to his mother.
A difficult child to reach much less control, it was only when Nanny retrieved a small portable organ from the attic and let Adam, age 2, pound away on it that his innate talent was uncovered. Using elbows, karate chops, arms, and his fists, he blasted out faintly recognizable tunes that he had once heard, from nursery songs to church hymns.
At his school for blind students, Derek at age 5 met Ockelford, the music teacher who sees through Derek's wild playing and recognizes the brilliant talent of this young boy. Ockelford gently eases himself into Derek's music by accompanying him with different bass harmonies, rhythms, arpeggios, major and minor keys, and styles until he wins Derek's curiosity and trust, and begins to grow. Fingering, scales, terminology, and chords all had to be demonstrated to Derek to allow his talent to blossom.
Before he is 10 Derek begins performing before school and local charity audiences. These concerts have varying results. His talents are obvious, but what he actually will do and play when seated at the piano are always unpredictable. Fortunately, Derek is an applause hound who basks in the praise of audiences. This need keeps him performing through his childhood and later adult life.
Author Ockelford clearly lays out the key (ha!) incidents in Derek's progression and lifestyle, from early lessons of trust and music to international fame as a concert pianist with orchestras. And all along the way, Derek's rock of strength and support is Nanny, who guides him through the intricacies of society and life skills when he is interacting with other people.
A thoroughly fascinating biography of a unique savant. Derek is absorbed into music, able to remember and play any music and then embellish it to any style. But his struggles between talent and acceptable behavior drive the story forward and highlight the skills of Ockelford and Nanny to nurture the prodigious talent of Derek. Together the three create a brilliant performer, one comfortable in himself and his world of music.
Ockelford, a music teacher, takes up the pen to describe the almost unbelievable life of his student, Derek Paravicini, and his rise to fame as a blind pianist who can play any music in any key and any style. (watch Derek play on a recent 60 Minutes segment or Musical Genius on British television.).
But Derek has other challenges besides his blindness, preventing him from functioning in many basic ways. He cannot hold up a correct amount of fingers when asked to, cannot tell which finger is which, cannot tell left from right, and is confused by other simple everyday concepts. He cannot dress or feed himself, and only has minimal conversational skills.
Who could not want to read more about this extraordinary savant?
Derek Paravicini was born three and a half months prematurely and, due to oxygen procedures to keep him alive at an ill-equipped hospital, was rendered blind and brain damaged. But he survived and thrived, mainly due to the untiring efforts of his nanny who years earlier had nursed and been a companion to his mother.
A difficult child to reach much less control, it was only when Nanny retrieved a small portable organ from the attic and let Adam, age 2, pound away on it that his innate talent was uncovered. Using elbows, karate chops, arms, and his fists, he blasted out faintly recognizable tunes that he had once heard, from nursery songs to church hymns.
At his school for blind students, Derek at age 5 met Ockelford, the music teacher who sees through Derek's wild playing and recognizes the brilliant talent of this young boy. Ockelford gently eases himself into Derek's music by accompanying him with different bass harmonies, rhythms, arpeggios, major and minor keys, and styles until he wins Derek's curiosity and trust, and begins to grow. Fingering, scales, terminology, and chords all had to be demonstrated to Derek to allow his talent to blossom.
Before he is 10 Derek begins performing before school and local charity audiences. These concerts have varying results. His talents are obvious, but what he actually will do and play when seated at the piano are always unpredictable. Fortunately, Derek is an applause hound who basks in the praise of audiences. This need keeps him performing through his childhood and later adult life.
Author Ockelford clearly lays out the key (ha!) incidents in Derek's progression and lifestyle, from early lessons of trust and music to international fame as a concert pianist with orchestras. And all along the way, Derek's rock of strength and support is Nanny, who guides him through the intricacies of society and life skills when he is interacting with other people.
A thoroughly fascinating biography of a unique savant. Derek is absorbed into music, able to remember and play any music and then embellish it to any style. But his struggles between talent and acceptable behavior drive the story forward and highlight the skills of Ockelford and Nanny to nurture the prodigious talent of Derek. Together the three create a brilliant performer, one comfortable in himself and his world of music.
Happy reading.
Fred
Fred
www.firstsentencereader.blogspot.com
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Sacks, Oliver. Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
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If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Sacks, Oliver. Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Sachs relates stories of patients with usual music/brain interactions,and how music affects their brains and lives in exhilarating and tragic ways.
