It is a remarkable coincidence that 2013 happens to be, along with Britten’s centenary, the 50th anniversary of Nocturnal, the 450th birthday of John Dowland and the 80th birthday of Julian Bream. In an attempt to mark all of these events, this recording presents, along with the Britten, three important works which span the fifty years which have followed it - Walton’s Five Bagatelles, Thomas Wilson’s Dreammusic, and John McLeod’s Fantasy on themes from Britten’s Gloriana, the latter composed specifically to mark Britten’s centenary, alongside short pieces by John Dowland.

Described as ‘a star in the ascendant’, Ian Watt was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and first came to international attention when, at 18, he was awarded 2nd prize (silver medal) at the 2009 Parkening International Guitar Competition (USA), the world’s preeminent guitar competition. Since then, he has appeared as a recitalist throughout the world, performing in the USA, China, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Holland, Estonia and Belgium, as well as at home in the UK.

A keen advocate of contemporary music, Watt took part in 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. He has since collaborated with composers 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. He also premiered McLeod’s two solo guitar works - Three Impromptus and Fantasy on themes from Britten’s Gloriana - in 2012.