J.S. Bach: Prelude #1 in C Major, played by Kristina Ellrod, musical savant

Kristina Ellrod was born with chorioretinal degeneration with microcephaly (an inherited chromosomal condition shared by a sibling). Small in stature, Kristina has profound developmental delays in addition to severe visual impairment. From an early age, Kristina has enjoyed singing and has been very captivated by music. Though not yet at the time physically able to play a note, Kristina began taking weekly piano lessons in her home beginning at age eight (from David Mehnert, her teacher of seven years).

Kristina is 14 years old in this footage from October 2008 [an earlier draft said she was 15]. Those who know the piece may recognize that a few arpeggiated chords in the right hand (primarily affecting octave spans) are altered and compressed; this was done to accommodate Kristina's smaller-than-average hands. Otherwise the notes of Prelude #1 in C Major (which are also the first notes of Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavichord) are played here by Kristina almost as Bach wrote them three centuries ago.

This piece marks is a significant developmental milestone in Kristina's musical production: it's the first time she played a piece by Bach, the first piece in the classical keyboard repertoire she's played (almost) note-for-note as the composer wrote. Although on the slow side, it's reasonably up to tempo, which is itself a welcome new development in Kristina's playing. Bach's Prelude #1 marks the first time Kristina has made extended use of an arpeggiated right hand part, and it has been helpful for developing her low right hand physical tone (strength) and dexterity.

Outside the musical domain, Kristina's developmental achievements are modest. At this point, she is unable to perform many if not most tasks involving fine motor skills. Her speaking and conversational skills are limited. She has never learned to read, although she is learning to recognize large letters (her grandmother says), and can use a computer with certain limited applications.

By contrast, she is relatively agile at the piano, and after years of meticulous coaching, Kristina now uses all her fingers independently. In addition, If she is familiar with a song, she can usually play it by ear in a rudimentary way, with (at least) a single finger in each hand, the left hand following a bass line that is sometimes harmonized. With her high-level perfect pitch abilities, Kristina is able to transpose at will any song she knows into any other key suggested to her. According to the definition provided by Darold Treffert, M.D., Kristina is a 'talented savant'. (Savants are individuals with special skills or talents in contrast to a cognitive impairment or disability.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• musical
• savant
• music
• talent
• special
• education
• Kristina
• Ellrod
• David
• Mehnert
• Darold
• Treffert
• Johann
• Sebastian
• Bach
• Prelude
• #1
• major

[SenseiTony]

I know Kristina she's actually 14 yrs old and pretty smart within her possibilities, a very sweet and busy child, her life is full of activities. It's an honor to be around her, as a person I have learned a lot about people and life because of her.

[Oswlek]

Very impressive. As the father of a special needs child, I know how awe inspiring each milestone can be.

My daughter who has been taking piano lessons fp three months now wants to add "you are awesome at the piano!"

[souljaboiification]

Ppl with developmental delays are very gifted in areas of music bc they have heightened senses so they can hear a change in pitch and don't need lessons like others do, so in a way she is not "delayed" In a way you could say that other ppl are delayed bc they need to read sheet music to learn music, but she already knows it bc she can hear it. I had trouble with learning in school there didnt look like much hope for me, but I can compose music by ear.

[damato66]

Amazing what the mind can do!