The classical guitar music featured in this video is entitled "Finchdean", composed by Bruce Paine. Bruce was inspired to write the piece following a walk through farmland near the village of Finchdean in Hampshire, England. The focal point of that walk was the historic church of St Hubert’s — also known as “The Little Church in the Field” — believed to date back as far as the 11th century. A magnificent feature of the chapel is the 14th-century mural that was uncovered in 1864.
"Finchdean" is Bruce Paine’s most loved solo guitar composition and has been performed in countries around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, England, France, the Czech Republic, and Mexico. It is a popular choice for guitar students sitting advanced university-level performance exams and has been accepted by Trinity College London as valid FTCL-level exam repertoire.
The premiere recording of Finchdean was released by Bruce in 2008 on his album Lateral Lines. A later interpretation by Wellington guitarist Gunter Herbig appears on the 2017 NAXOS album New Zealand Guitar Music. Both recordings offer unique insights into the piece and are well worth hearing for their contrasting artistic perspectives. Bruce has since revisited the work in a subsequent recording on The Selwyn Recital, reflecting how his interpretation has evolved over time.
For classical guitarists interested in performing "Finchdean", the sheet music is available as a paid electronic download via Lulu Publishing and the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ):