Richard Crabtree
Richard Crabtree studied violin and viola
with Nicholas Roth at TrinityCollege of Music and went on
to work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, and the original
London Soloists Ensemble. Later, as principal violist and
soloist he performed with the Wessex Sinfonia, Clifton Virtuosi,
Orchestra of the Swan, English National Baroque and Emerald
Ensembles.
As a solo artist, Richard has broadcast on BBC
Radio 3 and 4, Classic FM and Greek RTA. He has also recorded solo
soundtracks for television documentaries with the BBC, ITV and
Channel 4.
Richard's interest in promoting contemporary
music has led to performances throughout the UK and
Europe; perhaps most significantly to Turkmenistan, where
he was the first British musician to perform since Glasnost.
In addition to teaching at RWCMD, Richard
is professor of violin and viola at Trinity Laban, and is a member
of the elite teaching team of the Language Music for
Life organisation, which runs courses each year in the UK,
France and Italy. His students have won first prizes at
national and international competitions and gained positions with
major orchestras in London, throughout the UK and
abroad. Richard has also developed and published the
Crabbers alternative scale system for violin, viola and
cello to help undergraduate and postgraduate students
improve the efficiency of their practice. For more information,
visit www.crabbersscalemanuals.co.uk
Richard plays on a fine Nathanial Cross Viola, London Fecit
1731.