Saturday, May 11, 2019

PostNewsGroup.com: The Music of Blind Tom Wiggins

Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins (1849-1908)



Some autistic individuals who possess extraordinary skills are called “savants.” Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins was an African-American autistic savant musical prodigy who mastered the piano. With numerous original compositions published and a long-running successful performance career, he became one of the best-known American pianists.

Born blind on May 25, 1849, Tom, along with his parents, was sold in 1850 to General James Neil Bethune. Tom’s blindness prevented him from performing work demanded of slaves, causing him to be of no economic value to his owners. Initially they proposed killing Tom but later left him alone, a freedom that allowed him to explore the Bethune plantation.

Young Tom developed an early interest in the piano after hearing the instrument played by Bethune’s daughters. By age 4, he acquired some piano skills by ear. He soon gained access to the instrument and by age 5, composed his first tune: “The Rain Storm.” This composition was created after listening to the melodious cadence of a rainstorm pounding against the roof.

In fact, Tom could repeat any sound he’d heard—from animals around the farm to birds in the trees. He had the ability to parrot conversations and recite a political speech made by a presidential candidate, including the heckles and cheers of the crowd.

At 9 years old, Tom was hired out as a slave musician. One year later he became the first African-American to play at the White House, performing before Pres. James Buchanan. His piano pieces “Oliver Galop” and “Virginia Polka” were published in 1860.


By age 16, Tom, now indentured to James Bethune, mastered the difficult works of Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, and Thalberg. He performed pieces after hearing them once, and memorized poems and texts in foreign languages.

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