03/14/2010 4:00 am

Culture

On '60 Minutes' With Lesley Stahl: A Musical Savant (Audio)

Autistic musician Derek Paravicini is now 30 – and his music just keeps getting better and better. Listen to my exclusive-for-wOw audio sneak preview.



Click below to watch my CBS video preview:



Watch "60 Minutes" this Sunday, March 14, on CBS at 7:00 PM ET.

16 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

BethCornell
This guy is awesome. Thanks Leslie. I enjoyed that preview.
By BethCornell on 03/11/2010 6:37 pm
JamestheGame
Good job all-‘round to the hosts/interviewees.
By JamestheGame on 03/11/2010 8:49 pm
Rho
Thank you so much for the preview.  I will defintely be watching.
By Rho on 03/11/2010 9:17 pm
BittsC
Thank you, Lesley.  I can’t wait to see more of this young man on ‘60 Minutes’.  He is unbelievable!  What amazes me the most is how, in the middle of a song, he can suddenly change and  make it sound like another artist with a whole different style.  As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one explanation to this miracle … the Man upstairs, the one in charge of miracles.  :)
By BittsC on 03/11/2010 10:01 pm
LauriateRoly

BittsC - This is a subject that interests me to the extremes. I have attended special concerts by a few of these “savants” and they amaze me beyond belief. Strange, but all that I have seen have been what I would perceive as autistic. I say this not knowing if this special ability is applicable only to those who are autistic. I have never spoken to any of them. Some seem to be blind. How to explain this unbelievable phenomenon may forever remain a mystery. Whatever it is that causes their unbelievable ability is obviously something supreme. I have listened to a few of them who answered questions from the audience and they don’t even realize what a special “gift” they possess. Perhaps your evaluation of “the Man upstairs” is the most likely explanation. I will be watching Leslie and 60 Minutes you may be sure. LR.

By LauriateRoly on 03/13/2010 10:05 am
BittsC

LR, isn’t that one of the most amazing things you’ve ever seen or heard?!?!?  I’ve never been to a "savant’s" concert, but would love to one day.  It interests me, as well.  On that video, the young man could not hold up three fingers without help.  But did you see those same fingers gracefully fly across those piana keys?  I don’t know how else it can be explained.  And I, too, have always just heard of the autistic ones having this breath-taking ability, tho there could be others, I’m sure.  Perhaps this is His way of giving them something beautiful that brings them peace, comfort and happiness.  I much prefer to believe that than to think it has something to do with science.  8^)   And I agree … I don’t think they have any idea how talented and gifted they are.  I better get a full box of tissues ready for Sunday night; I nearly shed a few tears just watching the short video.  LOL   And I’m setting my cell phone alarm so I don’t miss it.  We’ll watch it "together" and then exchange notes later.

Have a great weekend, L.R. 

By BittsC on 03/13/2010 10:35 am
BittsC
Doggone it … forgot to spell-check again.
By BittsC on 03/13/2010 10:53 am
EileenAlannah
I loved your smile in this, Lesley, your joy. I will definitely be watching.
By EileenAlannah on 03/12/2010 9:49 am
NormaGrooms
What wonderful gifts these men have.  I will definitely be watching "60 Minutes" this Sunday.
By NormaGrooms on 03/12/2010 10:31 am
LindaMyers
Incredible! Music is the universal language, I love all kinds though I don’t sing or play which is frustrating. My daughter since she was little could sit down at any instrument and play - where she got it from I don’t have a clue other than it just being part of her. I have a friend who is a musician and a medium, he will sit down at his electric piano and place ear phones on your ears so you can hear and compose music on the spot which takes yourself into a fantastic journey of the soul while composing - then burns the CD and hands it over. Every piece unique to the reciever. A day without music would be empty.
By LindaMyers on 03/12/2010 1:16 pm
LauriateRoly
Lesley, I enjoyed the show but I believe that I saw at least a part of this before. Very, very interesting and quite incredible. I wonder how such an unbelievable factor can evolve in a human. I wonder if the mystery is in fact solvable? Does this special power manifest itself only in connection with things musical? I suppose the mysterious power could be noticeable in other forms than music, anywhere where memory retention capability is predominant. Fascinating and very entertaining. I hope BittsC and PatriciaSpofera are reading this posting because we intended to notice how we would react to your broadcast. I know they are very interested. Thank you Lesley for giving us such an interesting show.  A job well done.  LR.
By LauriateRoly on 03/14/2010 9:40 pm