Ian Watt
Described by Classical Guitar Magazine as ‘a guitarist of outstanding skill and originality’, Ian Watt (b. 1991, Aberdeen) has appeared throughout Europe, the Americas and East Asia, including at several prominent international guitar festivals. Noted for his ‘dazzlingly virtuosic’ and ‘astoundingly atmospheric’ playing (The Herald), Ian has released three solo albums for Nimbus Alliance, including a 2013 recording of Britten’s ‘Nocturnal’ which was described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘sublime’. He has performed concertos with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia, and his playing has been broadcast on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Scotland, NDR Radio (Germany) and WSMC Radio (USA).
Possessing an ‘exceptional range of timbre’ (BBC Music Magazine), Ian’s playing received early international attention with several competition successes, including 1st prizes at both the 2011 Heinsberg and 2010 Westphalian competitions, and 2nd at the highly prestigious ‘Parkening’ (USA) in 2009, where he was hailed by Soundboard magazine as an ’18-year-old phenom’
Never content to limit himself to the guitar’s solo repertoire, Watt enjoys an extremely varied musical life and collaborates regularly with a variety of musicians and groups, including Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Hebrides Ensemble. He worked closely with several prominent contemporary composers, giving world premieres of works by Hafliði Hallgrímsson, Rory Boyle and the complete guitar music of John McLeod (†2022).
Appointed at the age of 21 to the guitar faculty of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he lectured from 2013-23, Ian has given masterclasses internationally for over a decade, including at the Korean International Guitar Festival, Mikulov International Guitar Festival, Kutna Hora International Guitar Festival, Balatonfüred International Guitar Festival, Royal College of Music and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He now resides in London and is passionate about the role of music in the lives of both young people and adults. Those interested in Ian’s online classes can keep in touch with him via www.ianwattguitar.com.
Ian’s YouTube channel:
