James Crabb is a world-wide sensation. Last year, the Dundee born accordionist achieved international fame for himself and his instrument when he played live to an estimated 1.2 billion people at the opening of the Rugby World Cup finals in Australia. Given the broad repertoire of traditional and Celtic music written for the piano accordion we would be forgiven for assuming that this is Crabb’s speciality, but he has in fact taken a very different route.

At the age of 14 Crabb set out on a path that was to lead him to study in the Conservatiore in Copenhagen and to appearances across the globe as one of the most highly respected exponents of his chosen instrument: for Crabb had selected to reclaim the accordion for the classical repertoire. Since that time he has evangelised about an instrument that can bring to life music from the complex compositions of JS Bach to the sultry, tempestuous tangos of Piazzolla, both of which will feature in the six-concert tour that James is to give with the Scottish Ensemble next month. 

Crabb’s earliest memories of the accordion were of his father, a self-taught player, performing traditional Scottish music at home. He acquired his own instrument when only four, and for the next 10 years he studied folk and "light classical" compositions performing "everywhere, from homes for the elderly to hospitals, family reunions, weddings and funerals". However, when as a young teenager he read about the classical accordion he saw the opportunities that this instrument would give him, particularly in terms of new and challenging repertoire. Crabb got his first classical accordion at the age of 15 and has never looked back.

Crabb joins the highly acclaimed Scottish Ensemble, in performances of a work by JS Bach – one of his keyboard concertos that certainly fits the bill of "the challenging repertoire" sought by Crabb when he turned to the classical accordion. At the core of the concerts, however, will be music by Argentinean composer Piazzolla, marking a welcome return to this repertoire for audiences who were treated to Jonathan Morton’s sizzling performance of the Four Seasons of Buenos Aries last Autumn. Crabb himself is a great advocate of Piazzolla’s music…"it is such a mix of styles with influences of tango, classical, jazz and contemporary music all mixed in a powerful, sensual melancholic language. It embraces all the moods and emotions that are part of our everyday lives." Further information James Crabb and the classical accordion can be found at www.aco.com.au/aco_news/news_25_sep_03

Announcing the tour Heather Duncan, General manager of the Scottish Ensemble, said:

"James Crabb is one of Scotland’s most talented musicians. We are delighted to be able to offer audiences across Scotland the opportunity to experience his thrilling performances. The Ensemble is particularly looking forward to performing more of Piazzolla astonishing, tango inspired compositions, music which gave both musicians and audiences so much pleasure last Autumn."

Also on offer in this the first of four major concert tours to be given by the Scottish Ensemble between October 2004 and April 2005, will be pieces by Biber and Bartok.

The Angels & Devils tour opens in Aberdeen on Monday 4 October and runs until 10 October with performances in Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness (10 October at Eden  Court Theatre).