A SUSSEX pensioner with dementia, who became a viral sensation because of his beautiful piano improvisations, showed off his skills on live TV.
Paul Harvey from Buxted was invited to perform on Good Morning Britain this week after a video of his amazing musical ability was viewed more than 1.5 million times online.
In the video, his son Nick challenges the 80-year-old to create a piece of music from four random notes - F natural, A, D and B natural.
80-year-old dementia sufferer Paul Harvey became a viral sensation for his amazing piano skills.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 21, 2020
Paul shows just how brilliant his piano improvisation is live with @Piersmorgan and @susannareid100.
The result is inspiring...😢 pic.twitter.com/2MYpzsDhS4
Within seconds, Paul’s hands begin to glide over the keys, improvising a stunning tune on the spot.
Sharing the video online, Nick wrote: “Dad’s ability to improvise and compose beautiful melodies on the fly has always amazed me.
“Tonight, I gave him four random notes as a starting point.
“Although his dementia is getting worse, moments like this bring him back to me.”
Dad’s ability to improvise and compose beautiful melodies on the fly has always amazed me.
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) September 17, 2020
Tonight, I gave him four random notes as a starting point.
Although his dementia is getting worse, moments like this bring him back to me. pic.twitter.com/dBInVCTmfF
The video left viewers spellbound and quickly captured the attention of producers of ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
The father and son appeared on the show via a video link from Paul’s Sussex home.
Asked what he thought about the fact that he had gone viral, Paul joked: “Oh, I’m too old to get excited about it.”
“It’s been a crazy couple of days,” Nick added before explaining how he found out about his dad’s amazing ability.
“It’s something he did before when I was a child,” he said.
“I remember he was teaching at a summer school run by two famous jazz musicians, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, and it was the first time I had seen him do this.
“He asked the assembled masses to just throw four random notes at him and he created this beautiful piece of music and the room erupted. I’ve never forgotten that.
“A couple of nights ago he was struggling to play and I just remembered that moment.
“The rest is history, it’s such a gorgeous piece.”
I’m overwhelmed by the response to dad’s video. I’ll be going round to see him later and will read him your replies. I know he’ll be deeply moved. Thank you.
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) September 18, 2020
I just rang him to tell him that he’s gone viral. He replied, saying that as long as the virus isn’t Covid, he’s happy.
Hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid told Paul that his video had won him many admirers, including high praise from American jazz singer Curtis Stigers and English composer Benjamin Wallfisch.
Susanna then asked him if he would be willing to share his skill with viewers, challenging him to compose a piece live on air with the notes C, D, G and B.
Paul obliged, crafting an emotional two-minute melody which left the hosts struggling for words.
Piers said: “You know what, we don’t need to say anything, play us out Paul.
“Thank you so much. What a magical moment.”
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