Where diverse composers meet in a shared musical flight
Privately released in 2018, Whenua o te Manu is a collection of solo guitar works curated and performed by New Zealand-born, Australia-based guitarist John Couch. The album features bird-themed suites by Richard Charlton and Vincent Lindsey-Clark, alongside works by Marian Budos, Chris Norton, and New Zealand composers Peter Leask and Bruce Paine.
Paine’s contribution — a multi-movement suite composed for Couch — closes the album, and the final movement has been singled out by Couch as a personal favourite. The piece has since been performed by emerging guitarists, including in prize-winning competition settings, and a video of one such performance is available on YouTube.
While the album hasn’t received widespread review coverage, it stands as a distinctive contribution to the Australasian classical guitar repertoire, blending internationally recognised composers with new and original voices.
Whenua o te Manu is available for streaming on Spotify and other major platforms.
Note on presentation
Though now primarily available via streaming platforms, Whenua o te Manu was originally released as a beautifully produced physical album. Its premium hard-cover packaging and striking artwork mirror the same high production values also seen in the New Zealand Guitar Quartet’s release — a testament to the care and collaboration behind the music.