Paul Fincham

Fincham is the younger brother of television producer Peter Fincham.[1] Educated at the independent Tonbridge School, Fincham read music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Whilst at Cambridge, he was music director of the Cambridge Footlights. In 2012, following a career in the corporate world,[2] Fincham returned to composing, based in London.[3]

Fincham backstage at the Royal Albert Hall with presenter Alan Titchmarsh (left) and conductor Toby Purser (right)

In February 2017, Fincham's first feature film score for A Reason to Leave won Best Original Score at the London International Filmmakers Festival.[4] The film, written and directed by Norman Gregory, also won Best Film at the same awards.[5]

Later that year, Fincham was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Choir to write a new Christmas carol. On 20 December 2017, "Ring the Bells" was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall at the choir's concerts presented by Alan Titchmarsh.[6] In 2018, "Ring the Bells" was published by Boosey & Hawkes.[7]

In 2018, Fincham was commissioned by the British Museum to write a new work inspired by their Celtic Collection. On 21 June 2018, along with his violin piece, Suilven, Awen (meaning poetic inspiration in ancient Welsh/Breton/Cornish) was premiered by the London Philharmonic Choir under their artistic director, Neville Creed.[1]

Fincham's first opera The Happy Princess, based on "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde, with a libretto by Jessica Duchen, was premiered by the Youth Company at Garsington Opera in August 2019.[8]

• Official website