Ian Watson

Ian Watson is a British composer, conductor and accordionist, and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. He founded the London Accordion Orchestra in 1999. His compositions for accordion orchestra include The Legend of King Arthur, The Kingdoms, Black Mountain, Two Tango and Clowns. His music is published by Amusiko Verlag in Germany and performed by accordion orchestras in the UK and internationally. As a performer, he works regularly with leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. He also gives masterclasses and workshops across Europe, including in Ireland, France, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Lithuania, and has served on international competition juries. Alongside his classical work, he has performed and recorded with bands including Blur, The Divine Comedy, Goldfrapp and Blondie, and has also worked extensively in theatre, including productions in the West End, at the National Theatre and at Shakespeare’s Globe. He has performed on numerous film and television soundtracks, including as a featured musician on the film Wonka.