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REVIEWS

Geir Draugsvoll
Public critics from last decade

"Fantastic"
He demonstrated an intonation technique which goes beyond everything else which can be produced on acoustic instruments. Thoroughly made
weavings and glissandos left the listener astonished of admiration and delight. ... It was a virtuosic performance on the highest artistic level.
Berlingske Tidende (Denmark)

"An Overcoming"
Hands up - and all hearts open! The most fragile tones he can grow from silence or let die, as if he was a clarinetist or a string instrumentalist. The shortest tones length and value he can obviously vary endlessly, and the control with sound and dynamic gives every statement, every word, its own identity.
A master of details. But important is also, that all the simplicity in the forms, are controlled by a strong musical instinct, so his music comes out with profile and in its entirety.
Information (Denmark)

"Breaking Boarders"
... he broke all boarders, both national and instrumental, in some fantastic performances... which brought the accordion up amongst the finest and most expressive classical instruments.
Berlingske Tidende (Denmark)

"a musician of poetry. He has a way of using total concentration to penetrate the music of silence. The music is set forth as if from a distant world, gentle and crisp, and takes on form, is brought to life, through lines constructed by way of the most subtle control over the weight and dynamics of every single note. He can make his instrument sing quietly with the music surrounded by a glow of its own. At the same time, the virtuosity of his playing is incredible; the music flows lightly across foundation pillars of rhythm and sound control, so much so that in the end everything falls assuredly into place. At times it
is so brilliant that one loses one's breath."
Berlingske Tidende (Denmark)

It was not only touching, it was one of those rear moments when time stands still, and dissolves into music.
Dagbladet (Norway)

"Musical sensation"
Geir Draugsvoll is not a musician which has to mature to end up amongst the established musicians. His concert was shocking and sensational, because he broke down our prejudice towards the instrument, and also because the musical experience at times were shockingly good. ... Geir Draugsvoll could easily become more than "debutante of the year", he could become a continuos sensation in the norwegian music life.
Drammens Tidende og Buskeruds Blad (Norge)

Auf alle Fälle aber weiß ich eines: Von diesen beiden Herren möchte ich sehr bald sehr viel mehr hören. Sie beleben den saturierten, oft selbstgefälligen und in lebloser Tradition versinkenden Konzertmarkt. Schon mit zwei Akkordeons, so gespielt, könnte er ein wenig über seinen langweiligen Schatten springen...
Salzburger Nachrichten (Austria)

"Best of all is Stravinsky's score, given an inspired rewrite for two accordions, and played brilliantly on stage by James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll. By the end, when Petrushka lies dead on the snowy ground and they walk towards him, throwing their silhouettes on the back wall, they are the piece's true heroes."
The Independent (England)


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Geir Draugsvoll
Public CD-critics from last decade


The already big discography of works by Sofia Gubaidulina, is little by little filled with first rank performances. This CD from BIS - centered around Geir Draugsvoll's accordion, should be marked with a milestone.
Repertoire (France)

Geir Draugsvoll¹s virtuoso performances have to be heard to be believed.
American Record Guide (USA)

Geir Draugsvoll takes us on a chastening and never merely virtuosic
tour of the accordion's full potential...
Grammophone (England)

Accordionist Geir Draugsvoll -- a graduate of the Royal Danish Conservatory in 1992 -- is especially to be congratulated for hisstunning performances on this album. I listened to De profundis and Et exspecto while following along with the score; his playing is masterful and true to the composer's intent.> 
The Classical Free Reed (USA) http://trfn.clpgh.org/free-reed/reviews/

Draugsvoll is a master musician. He breathes life into these difficult contemporary works and helps make these pieces more accessible to listeners.
The Classical Free Reed (USA)

Classical Accordion is a fortuitous fusion of talented artist, technical mastery and excellent instrument; this combination certainly evokes some musical magic on this recording.
Thc Classical Free Reed (USA)

Geir Draugsvoll plays with strength and verve, producing as convincing performances as we are likely to hear. His technical audacity is successful, and he seems to have a complete understanding of and identification with what he plays.

Crabb and Draugsvoll have you on the edge of your armchair with their dash and virtuosity, and fill your mind with fantasy and colour, compelling you to re-evaluate the instrument's capacity as a serious concert medium.
Sunday Times (England)

All in all something of an artistic triumph. ... No doubt of the musicianship and virtuosity of the playing. The recording, too, is excellent.
Gramophone (England)

The most striking features of Crabb and Draugsvoll's playing are their extraordinary unanimity of ensemble, and an ebullient rhythmicality and athleticism made possible by a phenomenal bellows technique... This is a different and splendidly enjoyable disc.
Classic CD (England)

There are the makings of a cult hit somewhere here.
Independent on Sunday (England)

A disc which I am sure is destined to become something of a collector item...
Hi-Fi News (England)