VideoStephen Sondheim Surprises 80-Year-Old Composer Living With Dementia After Improvised Piece Goes ViralThe piece of music, written by retired music teacher Paul Harvey, was recorded by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and released as a single.
By
Logan Culwell-Block
November 04, 2020
Paul Harvey, an 80-year-old former music teacher and composer living with dementia, has captured the heart of England after a video of Harvey improvising a sweeping, romantic piece of music at the piano posted by son Nick went viral. Following a radio broadcast of the tune—titled "Four Notes"—on BBC Radio 4, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra's Daniel Whibley gave it a full orchestral arrangement, which was ultimately recorded by the full orchestra remotely.
The BBC ultimately surprised Harvey with the recording and a special message from his favorite composer, Stephen Sondheim, in which the theatre luminary thanks Harvey for the "wonderful" tune he invented "which I can't wait to steal." See Harvey hear the orchestral version of his tune for the first time and Sondheim's surprise message above.
The full single of "Four Notes - Paul's Tune" is now available on major streaming services, with all proceeds benefiting Alzheimer's Society and Music for Dementia.
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