Thomas ’Blind Tom’ Wiggins: Battle of Manassas; Magdalena Baczewska, piano

SUBSCRIBE: Thomas ’Blind Tom’ Wiggins: Battle of Manassas Magdalena Baczewska, piano Live in recital Reid Hall Columbia Global Center Paris 2022 On July 4th, the Star-Spangled Banner, La Marseillaise, and the sounds of cannons (played on the piano) resounded at Reid Hall Columbia Global Center Paris. “Battle of Manassas” by Thomas ‘Blind Tom’ Wiggins is the sonic equivalent of the Independence Day fireworks. The piece is as fascinating as its composer. Thomas ‘Blind Tom’ Wiggins was born blind, and with a rare case of autism. He and his enslaved family were owned by General Bethune, who noticed the child’s immense ability to reproduce sounds of all kinds. As a young boy, Thomas surpassed Bethune’s daughters who took piano lessons. His first piece was inspired by the experience of hearing raindrops hit the roof. Wiggins had an incredible memory for sound and music - once he heard something, he never forgot it. He may have had