Ian Watt has given many recitals and solo appearances throughout Europe, in venues such as the ‘Schubert Hall’ (Vienna Concert House), St John’s, Smith Square (London), King’s Place (London), the Queen Elizabeth Hall (South Bank Centre, London) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Watt has also given concerts at cultural festivals such as the Mikulov International Guitar Festival (Czech Republic), Kutna Hora International Guitar Festival (Czech Republic) the International Guitar Festival (London), ‘Sound’ Festival (Aberdeen) and the Big Guitar Weekend (Glasgow). His wide repertoire encompasses music from the renaissance to the present.
As well as in the United Kingdom, Watt has performed in the USA, China, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Holland, Estonia, Norway and Belgium and as a concerto soloist, he has recently performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia, Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra, Glasgow Chamber Orchestra and Aberdeen Sinfonietta. His international awards and prizes include 1st prize at the Heinsberg International Guitar Competition 2011, 1st prize at the ‘Westfalian Guitar Spring’ International Competition 2010 in Germany, silver medal at the Parkening International Guitar Competition 2009 in Malibu, 2nd prize and the Vienna International Guitar Competition ‘Homage to Karl Scheit’ 2010, and 3rd prize at the Koblenz International Guitar Competition 2011.
As a keen advocate of contemporary music, particularly in expanding his instrument’s repertoire, Watt has collaborated with composers such as Gordon McPherson, Rory Boyle and most recently John McLeod, whose Guitar Concerto (dedicated to Watt and the composer’s first work for the instrument) he premiered in March 2010. Watt also took part in the Peter Maxwell Davies 75th birthday celebration concerts in Glasgow in November 2009, giving a performance of the rarely heard ‘Dark Angels’ song cycle for voice and guitar in the composer’s presence. An enthusiastic chamber musician, Watt regularly performs with other musicians, particularly singers, exploring the often neglected but fine repertoire for voice and guitar.
As well as his performances on BBC Radio, Watt was featured in a BBC 2 documentary which included a performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and his performances have also been seen and heard on television and radio stations in the USA, Austria and Holland. The 2011-12 season will see him give his first concerts in Ukraine (a solo recital at the National Philharmonic Hall in Kiev) and Denmark as well as a return to China, Germany and the USA. His debut album, Invocación – Impressions of Spain, was released by Nimbus Alliance in November 2011. Ian Watt is a D’Addario artist.
Links
My ‘youtube’ page – http://www.youtube.com/user/iwattguitar/videos
My ‘facebook’ page – http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=683049730
Nimbus Records – http://www.wyastone.co.uk/ (my debut album, Invocacion – Impressions of Spain, was released by Nimbus Alliance in Nomember 2011)
D’Addario Strings – http://www.daddario.com/DaddarioArtistDetails.Page?ActiveID=2049&ArtistId=42605&tid=1 (I play D’Addario strings exclusively)
John McLeod – http://www.johnmcleod.uk.com/ (fantastic Scottish composer whose superb Guitar Concerto I had the privilege of premiering in 2010)
Press quotes
‘…possessed a musicality and charisma – a temperament, even – that allows one to transcend the bonds of an instrumental community’ – Soundboard (U.S.A), 2009
‘Time stopped in this interpretation and the concentration of young Ian Watt’s guitar playing acted like a zoom lens on pain and reflection.’ – The Herald (Scotland), 2009
‘…Ian Watt is a star in the ascendant.’ – Aberdeen Press and Journal (Scotland), 2010
‘…an eighteen year old phenom.’ – Soundboard (U.S.A.), 2009
‘Watt gave a dazzlingly virtuosic performance, most excitingly in the cadenza of the final movement which he had contributed.’ – The Herald (Scotland), 2010
‘…a guitarist of outstanding skill and originality.’ – Classical Guitar (U.K.), 2010
‘…astoundingly atmospheric playing in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez…’ – The Herald (Scotland), 2008
‘Flawless, passionate and driven…’ – Aberdeen Press and Journal (Scotland), 2006