Irish Examiner (2007)

By Declan Towndsend

 

‘…Crabb and the Irish Chamber Orchestra captivated and charmed with a dazzling display of technical brilliance, consummate musicianship and inventive programming…his musicianship obviously convinced the players, who responded with elegance, sensitivity and an impressive tonal variety…’

 

Irish Independent (2007)

By Pat O’Kelly

 

‘Crabb finds a perfect balance between the delicately sensual and the wildly passionate…’

 

The Telegraph, UK (2006)

By Matthew Rye

 

‘… he coaxes sounds that defy belief: supple, delicate, virtuosic flights of notes; terrifying discordant snarls; intricate four-part counterpoints; meltingly expressive lyricism...it was all superbly played by the soloist…’ show full review

 

The Times, UK (2006)

By Richard Morrison

 

‘…Crabb's explosive accordion line propelled the orchestra forward, the performance was a vindication of the enormous possibilities of the accordion, from tiny, piccolo-like whistles to sonorous, chordal textures…’ show full review

 

Sunday Times, UK (2006)

By Paul Driver

 

‘…an incomparable soloist…’ show full review

 

The Independent, UK (2006)

By Lynne Walker

 

‘…a hugely sympathetic interpreter…’ show full review

 

Glasgow Herald, UK (2006)

By Lynne Walker

 

‘…astonishingly expressive Scottish accordionist James Crabb…virtuoso soloist…’ show full review

 

Financial Times, UK (2006)

By Richard Fairman

 

‘…James Crabb, the soloist, sounded expert in all the demands the concerto placed on him…’ show full review

 

The Guardian, UK

By Tom Service

 

‘…Crabb's explosive accordion line propelled the orchestra forward, the performance was a vindication of the enormous possibilities of the accordion, from tiny, piccolo-like whistles to sonorous, chordal textures…’ show full review

 

The Observer, UK

By Nicholas Kenyon

 

‘…Crabb is a major discovery, a performer of perfect poise, taste and passion…’ show full review

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

By Peter McCallum

 

‘…Crabb was a magnificent soloist with outstanding tonal variety, rhythmical conviction and a superb sense of colour and projection. He combines the energy and raunch of the café with the refinement of the concert hall…’

 

The Guardian, UK

By Meirion Bowen

 

‘…a stunning breadth of skill and musicality…riveting…’  show full review

 

 

The Guardian, UK

By Andrew Clements

 

‘…it was Crabb who caught the attention with a series of solos that had such instinctive phrasing and comprehensive awareness of Piazzolla’s musical expressive potential, it was hard to believe that he hadn't been playing this music for years in Buenos Aires…’

 

 

The Daily Telegraph, UK

By Malcolm Hayes

 

‘…ingenious transcriptions…enthralled and dazzled the ear…sometimes a gifted performer can effectively transcend the limitations of slender material by sheer flair – as James Crabb brilliantly achieved with his virtuoso skills…’ show full review

 

 

The Sunday Times, UK

By Paul Driver

 

‘…Crabb presented himself as a consummate master of his instrument…, voltage flashed from one button board to the other…’  show full review

 

 

The Independent on Sunday, UK

By Michael White

 

‘…an accordionist of dazzling virtuosity…, an embryonic genius emerged in James Crabb and a fine ambassador for his chosen instrument…’ show full review

 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

By Roger Covell

 

‘…an outstandingly gifted musician…Crabb’s
fellow musicians largely surrendered their own leadership instincts to his
dazzling skills and interpretive commitment…’

 

The Times, UK

By Paul Griffiths

 

‘…James Crabb proved conclusively from his breathtaking entry that the accordion is not after all an unfunny joke…he is the sort of player who can make a miracle of anything…so electric was every detail and every silence in the performance…’ show full review

 

 

The Independent, UK

By Annette Morreau

 

‘…an extraordinary soloist…’

 

The Guardian, UK

By Tom Service

 

‘The physicality of Crabb’s performance turned the contrast between live and taped sounds into an expressive drama…’  show full review

 

 

The Times, UK

By John Allison

 

‘Some of the best pieces were heard in the final concert. The most striking was Helix, a joint creation by the brilliant accordionist James Crabb and (again) Sound Intermedia…’ show full review

 

 

The Independent, UK

By Nicholas Williams

 

‘…an outstandingly gifted performer…’  show full review

 

 

The Times, UK

By Robert Dawson Scott

 

‘It takes something special to make a world-class player of the accordion. James Crabb is that world-class player. In the light of our dismal sporting endeavours on the world’s stage, perhaps we should celebrate him rather more often than we do…’

 

The Scotsman, UK

By Sarah Jones

 

‘…James Crabb gets a breathtaking range and beauty out of his instrument…’

 

The Financial Times, UK

By Dave Murray

 

‘…sensational…’ show full review

 

Parnool, Holland

 

‘…he is the kind of musician who will inspire composers to write for him…’

 

N.R.C. Handelsblad, Holland

 

‘…a real magician of his instrument…’

 

Berlingske Tidende, Danmark

By Dave Murray

 

‘…masterly musicianship…James Crabb’s control of the instrument is formidable…a rare talent…’ show full review

 

Politiken, Danmark

 

‘…an accomplished performance with music-making as the major force…fantastic playing throughout…a super virtuoso on his instrument…magically performed…’ show full review

 

Jyllands Post, Danmark

 

‘…a versatile and outstanding musician…unique…’ show full review

 

Politiken, Danmark

By Jan Jacoby

 

‘…There is an intense dynamic with his rhythmical accompanying and an expressive tension in his phrase-shaping of the melody lines…’ show full review