Watson, Richard Scott, 1955-

Richard Scott Watson was born in Glasgow in 1955.  From 1972 to 1975 he studied viola with James Durrant and composition with Frank Spedding at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.  He then embarked on a free-lance career primarily as a teacher and orchestral player.  In addition to these activities he was the director of the contemporary music group 'Logos' and it was for 'Logos' that most of his compositions of this time were written.  In 1980 he changed career to become a computer programmer and for the next six years composed very little.  In 1986, however, Miles Baster, leader of the Edinburgh Quartet commissioned aString Quartet from him.  The stimulus of the composition of the quartet has led to two other works - 'Praeludium' for orchestra and 'The Child Dying' for voice and chamber ensemble.