‘…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…’
‘Crabb finds a perfect balance between the delicately sensual and the wildly passionate…’
‘… 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
‘…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
‘…an incomparable soloist…’ show full review
‘…a hugely sympathetic interpreter…’ show full review
‘…astonishingly expressive Scottish accordionist James Crabb…virtuoso soloist…’ show full review
‘…James Crabb, the soloist, sounded expert in all the demands the concerto placed on him…’ show full review
‘…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
‘…Crabb is a major discovery, a performer of perfect poise, taste and passion…’ show full review
‘…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…’
‘…a stunning breadth of skill and musicality…riveting…’ show full review
‘…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…’
‘…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
‘…Crabb presented himself as a consummate master of his instrument…, voltage flashed from one button board to the other…’ show full review
‘…an accordionist of dazzling virtuosity…, an embryonic genius emerged in James Crabb and a fine ambassador for his chosen instrument…’ show full review
‘…an outstandingly gifted musician…Crabb’s
fellow musicians largely surrendered their own leadership instincts to his
dazzling skills and interpretive commitment…’
‘…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
‘…an extraordinary soloist…’
‘The physicality of Crabb’s performance turned the contrast between live and taped sounds into an expressive drama…’ show full review
‘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
‘…an outstandingly gifted performer…’ show full review
‘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…’
‘…James Crabb gets a breathtaking range and beauty out of his instrument…’
‘…sensational…’ show full review
‘…he is the kind of musician who will inspire composers to write for him…’
‘…a real magician of his instrument…’
‘…masterly musicianship…James Crabb’s control of the instrument is formidable…a rare talent…’ show full review
‘…an accomplished performance with music-making as the major force…fantastic playing throughout…a super virtuoso on his instrument…magically performed…’ show full review
‘…a versatile and outstanding musician…unique…’ show full review
‘…There is an intense dynamic with his rhythmical accompanying and an expressive tension in his phrase-shaping of the melody lines…’ show full review