In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini

The extraordinary story of the musical genius Derek Paravicini, born blind and with severe learning difficulties, by the music psychologist who has acted as his mentor for the last twenty years.

'In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini' tells the story of one of the most remarkable people you are ever likely to encounter. After being left for dead when he was born four months premature, blind and with severe learning difficulties, Derek started to teach himself the piano. When Adam Ockelford encountered him aged 5, he was already playing a wide range of pieces in his own inimitable style. After daily tuition for some years, Derek's first big break came when he was nine, playing jazz with the Royal Philharmonic Pops at the Barbican. Concerts in the UK and Europe followed, and international media attention, most recently with three appearances on the '60 Minutes' show in the US. To find out the latest news about Derek, including recordings and concert appearances, please visit his website at www.derekparavicini.net.

Book Author

Adam-ockelford Adam Ockelford trained as a musician at the Royal Academy in the 1970s before developing an interest in music for children with special needs. He has devoted much of his life to teaching 'musical savants' - people with exceptional abilities despite their DISabilities. Working with young people with special musical talents has led Adam to research how music makes sense for all of us, and he has written a large number of articles and books in the field of music psychology. Adam is currently Professor of Music at Roehampton University.. He is married with three children and lives in Wimbledon.
more about Adam Ockelford...

Book Reviews

  • Publishing News
    "An extraordinary story of a troubled child who found his metier."
  • Mail on Sunday
    "A moving account of an incredibly gifted pianist"
  • Daily Telegraph
    "Nobody can really 'know' Paravicini since he is locked in his own world ... What Ockelford demonstrates is that it is possible to make such an insular world fulfilling, and the contemplation of this can touch the rest of us. That, in itself, is a considerable achievement."
  • Daily Mail
    "Ockelford tells his story well. No one else ... could have explained Derek in quite the same way."