Mans Trio
The Mans Trio consist of:
Alexander Kanchaveli
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1981. He started studying the piano at the age of seven at the Tbilisi Music Gymnasium, and subsequently made his concerto debut five years later with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra. Alex continued his studies under Prof. Tengiz Amiredjibi at the Tbilisi Conservatory, and obtained his BMusHons and MMus cum laude. Alexander’s international appearances have included winning second prize in the Concerteum Athens and third prize in the Chopin Association Competition, Rome. He has performed extensively, particularly as a chamber musician, first with the Sandro Piano Trio, and now in the Mans. He is currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma at the RSAMD under Phillip Jenkins. Alex is married to opera singer Katie Mikelaishvili, and they have a three year old daughter, Miriam.
Ian Watson
Following auditions held by the RSAMD in 2005, Ian Watson was offered the ABRSM International Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies, for 2006. Ian’s earliest major award was winning the Diocesan College Music Scholarship, funding his entire high school education at the Diocesan College, Cape Town (1996). From 2002 - 2005, he completed both his BMus and BMusHons degrees in violin performance cum laude at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Prior to residing in Glasgow, Ian was appointed Associate Principal Second Violin for the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for two years. As a soloist, he has performed the Bach, Bruch and Glazunov violin concerti with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the Stellenbosch Ensemble Players and the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in numerous competitions, in South Africa and now at the RSAMD and has won first prizes in competitions from both countries. He has recorded the Sibelius and Glazunov Violin Concerti, and a number of other works, including the Villa-Lobos Duo, the world premiere of Harley’s Four Prayers and Handel-Halvorsen’s Passacaglia for violin and viola. Ian plays on a ‘Thomson and Sons’ Violin (English), circa 1790.
Christoff Fourie
Christoff was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, into a family of musicians. He started studying cello at the age of four, but spent most of his youth playing rugby, fishing, doing ballet and shooting things on the family farm outside of Pretoria. Christoff’s cello has taken him all over the world, most recently to Scotland. He is currently completing his third year BMus at the the RSAMD, on the ABRSM International Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies, under David Watkin and Alison McGillivray. Some highlights include winning the Governor’s String Recital Prize, chamber music performances with musicians such as Marcia Crayford and Tim Lines, and a world premiere performance at the Cheltenham Festival. When Christoff is not sitting behind his cello, he can be found climbing around Scotland, breathing compressed air underwater or discussing the state of Africa in a nearby pub. Christoff plays on a fine 19th century French cello, kindly given to him by the Veloza family.