Somewhere, over the rainbow, Samuel Philip Cooper’s Nana is still sitting in her favourite chair, a grey-haired old lady with a hint of a smile enjoying the late afternoon sun dappling into her garden.
In reality Samuel’s Nana passed away during lockdown and he never got to say goodbye.
Samuel’s Nana gave him her piano, the one he wrote this song on, when she moved out of her home with its favourite chair and beautiful garden. She also gave him much more. She gave him his love of music. She was on the side-line for schoolboy sport. She gave him her wisdom.
As in all piano recitals, you pick your own journey. For me it’s the softness, the setting and the high octave dapple which resonates. Then as the song ends, it strengthens and resolves, and this gives a sense of closure. But also, of continuity (play it again) and continuous presence.
Forever Loved is not a goodbye tune. It’s not a sad tune. It’s an open invitation to the possibility that Nana is still here every time he tells her that she's Forever Loved.
Forever Loved is out today, Friday 13th, as part of a monthly release of several compositions which will make up an album for release next year.
Samuel Cooper is a contemporary solo pianist/composer based in Wellington. Composing since 2017, Sam’s compositions are deep, healing, and aim to tell stories that reflect some tough periods he has experienced in his first 25 years of life to help raise awareness for mental health and make a difference. Through his compositions and accompanying messages, he encourages others to speak up about their mental health instead of suffering silently like too many do.
Samuel draws inspiration from a vast array of contemporary pianists like Brian Crain and Michele McLaughlin, as well as many others from around the world. He hopes that his playing uplifts and enlightens listeners, and most importantly brightens people’s days and puts smiles on faces.
The piano is an instrument ingrained in Samuel’s bloodline – being the great-nephew of the late Peter Cooper, a well-known 20th century New Zealand concert pianist and a war pianist in World War II.