Camilla hears left-hand Chopin tune

Apr 18 2012

A student who fought paralysis to teach himself to play the piano has performed for a royal audience.

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the University of Aberdeen where she met 22-year-old Paul Murray who has overcome four major brain surgeries and multiple sclerosis to learn to play the piano with only his left hand.

Camilla, known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, also visited the university's education department and met student teachers who are learning skills so they can meet the needs of children with educational and social difficulties.

Mr Murray performed Chopin's Ballade No 1 in G minor for the Duchess after reworking it for the left hand. He described it as his "most nerve-racking" performance to date. Mr Murray, from Glasgow, is a fourth-year student at the university and said the Duchess was interested in his story and wished him well before he performed.

He said: "I contracted multiple sclerosis and around this time last year I took an attack that left me paralysed down one side. That lasted about three months and I lost complete faith in performing.

"However, I managed to get back and I'm taking lessons again at quite a high level, hoping to go on to finish my music studies in London. The Duchess had heard about my story and was interested in the whole left-hand aspect. I think she is a big music fan and wished me luck beforehand and congratulated me after."

Camilla was greeted by Lord Provost of Aberdeen Peter Stephen and university principal Ian Diamond. Wearing a tartan dress and blouse with a charcoal jacket, she greeted students gathered inside the MacRobert building. Lintsey Munnoch, a first-year biology student, missed her 11am tutorial to catch a glimpse of the Duchess.

She said: "She came over and shook my hand and asked what I was studying and how I was doing with it. We were told it was a minor royal coming so we were really excited to see it was Camilla. I missed my tutorial to wait and see her but it was definitely worth it after getting to speak to her."

The Duchess observed a long-distance learning class in the education department with students from Aberdeen, Fort William and Kilwinning all participating in the lesson over the internet. She was presented with an education study book as she left the department.

Camilla arrived in the music department as Professor Paul Mealor was teaching a conducting masterclass. He said: "She said she enjoyed the masterclass and that the Prince of Wales really enjoys conducting and would have loved to have had a go. So I told her that next time she must bring him with her and they can both have a go."