Derek on BBC Two (What makes a genius?)

What Makes a Genius?

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qzlbv

Next on: Wednesday, 21:00 on BBC Two (except Northern Ireland (Analogue), Wales (Analogue))

Could you have come up with Einstein's theory of relativity? If not - why not?

This is what Marcus du Sautoy, professor of mathematics, wants to explore. Marcus readily admits that he is no genius, but wants to know if geniuses are just an extreme version of himself - or whether their brains are fundamentally different.

Marcus meets some remarkable individuals - Tommy, an obsessive artist who uses his whole house as his canvas; Derek: blind, autistic, and a pianist with apparently prodigious gifts; Clare who is also blind, but whose brain has learnt to see using sound.

Marcus is shown how babies have remarkable abilities which most of us lose as teenagers. He meets a neuroscientist who claims he has evidence of innate ability, a scientist who's identified a gene for learning, and Dr. Paulus, who has discovered how to sharpen the brain... by electrically turbo-charging it.

World famous musical savant Derek Paravicini is to perform a charity concert in Reigate

http://www.redhillandreigatelife.co.uk/news/4874631.Famous_pianist_to_perform_in_aid_of_Reigate_charity/

The gifted blind pianist will be staging a concert entitled An Evening With Derek Paravicini and Friends at Reigate Park Church in Park Lane East on Saturday, February 27, at 7.30pm.

The concert will be in aid of the Reigate-based charity, Telephones for the Blind Fund.

Hailed a musical genius, Derek Paravicini is an extraordinarily talented pianist despite being blind and having severe learning difficulties.

He has played in venues across the UK, including Ronnie Scott's and the Barbican Halls in London, in Europe and across the United States.

He has received media coverage worldwide.

Appearing with him in Reigate will be Nick Shaw, a pianist and cellist who is also blind and autistic.

The programme will also feature performances by the Girls' Choir and Chamber Choir from Dunottar Girls' School, Reigate.

All proceeds from the concert will go to the Telephones for the Blind Fund, a charity that provides phone lines for blind people on low incomes.

The cause relies solely on public donations to fund what can literally be a lifeline to emotional and practical support.

Tickets priced £10 each are available on 01737 248032, or by writing to 7 Huntersfield Close, Reigate RH2 0DX, including a stamped addressed envelope, and making cheques payable to Telephones for the Blind Fund.