Conducting
The youthful looking David Crown conducted this impressive celebration of 17th century music with intelligence and flair. The full choir sang enthusiastically about Cupid’s charms, laughed wickedly as a coven of witches, brought a lusty cheerfulness to the proceedings as they prepared to sail off ..., and finally offered a moving tribute to the dead queen. The six-piece Corelli Orchestra with their lively playing were the icing on the cake.
Roger Jones (Seen and Heard International)
October 2015
It gives me enormous delight to thank, on your behalf, this wonderful choir, these wonderful musicians, for the enormous delight they have given to us. [...] We were rolled over not only by the robust and gorgeous tone of this choir, but also by the superb attacks and deeply expressive singing. If I may, I would like to single out their conductor, David Crown, who is one of those rare conductors who is able to communicate his musicianship one hundred percent to the singers. In fact, the choir and the conductor are one instrument. That is very rare and glorious to behold!
Dr John Bertalot (Organist Emeritus of Blackburn Cathedral)
June 2012
At last, a Christmas disc you can enjoy for the quality of the performances! It would make a great gift, but you might want to keep it for yourself. This is a disc you can enjoy in private, and in the company of friends and family with above average taste in music. It's that good. No Xmassy ersatz here. This is the real thing! The Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, conducted by David Crown make this a disc to cherish. Their enthusiasm is genuinely infectious. You get caught up in the sheer joy of the singing, excitement, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. That's high praise, especially in a market saturated with the blasé and conventional.
Classical Iconoclast (classical music blog)
Review of the Somerville Choir’s CD 'Advent Calendar', November 2013
I liked the fresh tone of the choir and they sing the piece as if they believe in it. […] Crown’s direction is sure-footed. In particular he’s successful in maintaining the flow that’s so vital in this plainchant-derived music […] The coupling is most unusual and very enterprising.
John Quinn, Music Web International
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, December 2012
Crown and his students can be proud of their accomplishment. They have managed to convey the mystery and the majesty of Duruflé’s masterpiece.
George Chien, Fanfare Magazine
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, March/April 2013 (Issue 36:4)
While Somerville doesn't have the cachet of the bigger colleges, its singers are enthusiastic, and their commitment infuses this recording with great character. […] The Somerville voices sound so fresh and pure that one can understand why Milford thought of Christmas and presumably angels and happiness. […] This recording is a milestone for Milford, but also a showcase for the Oxford college choir tradition, created afresh by the Somerville College Choir. It seems odd to call a CD of masses a "hit", but this one is!
Classical Iconoclast
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, September 2012
I just want to congratulate the Choir of Somerville, Oxford, for a magnificent evening last night.Congratulations to their leader David Crown who has made magic with the choices of music as well as the quality of music and harmony. Bravo and good luck for the future.
Nelly Miricioiu (opera singer and singing teacher)
Concert at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London, 3 November 2012
From the very first piece, the 22 mixed voices of Somerville College Choir evoked an atmosphere of high spirituality […] The performance was perfect, dynamic, expressive.
Il Cittadino di Lodi (Italian newspaper)
Review of a concert at San Francesco, Lodi (Italy), July 2010
The liturgical part of the evening was exquisitely ecumenical in scope, as it saw an alternation between the singing and prayer of the congregation and that of the prestigious Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, in a joyous coming together of Catholicism and Anglican tradition. […]. In the Vaughan Williams vocal splendour and dynamic effects of great emotional impact brought the piece from quietness to a crescendo of powerful expressivity. The Taverner piece, with its very modern style, alternated between monophony and polyphony in a cradling atmosphere, fitting for a piece written for Taverner’s 3-year-old nephew. The piece by the Welsh composer Mathias burst forth with brilliance while an evocative contemplation of light was offered by the American composer Whitacre in Lux aurumque.
Il Nuovo Torrazzo (Italian newspaper)
Review of a concert at San Bernardino Crema (Italy), July 2010
Roger Jones (Seen and Heard International)
October 2015
It gives me enormous delight to thank, on your behalf, this wonderful choir, these wonderful musicians, for the enormous delight they have given to us. [...] We were rolled over not only by the robust and gorgeous tone of this choir, but also by the superb attacks and deeply expressive singing. If I may, I would like to single out their conductor, David Crown, who is one of those rare conductors who is able to communicate his musicianship one hundred percent to the singers. In fact, the choir and the conductor are one instrument. That is very rare and glorious to behold!
Dr John Bertalot (Organist Emeritus of Blackburn Cathedral)
June 2012
At last, a Christmas disc you can enjoy for the quality of the performances! It would make a great gift, but you might want to keep it for yourself. This is a disc you can enjoy in private, and in the company of friends and family with above average taste in music. It's that good. No Xmassy ersatz here. This is the real thing! The Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, conducted by David Crown make this a disc to cherish. Their enthusiasm is genuinely infectious. You get caught up in the sheer joy of the singing, excitement, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. That's high praise, especially in a market saturated with the blasé and conventional.
Classical Iconoclast (classical music blog)
Review of the Somerville Choir’s CD 'Advent Calendar', November 2013
I liked the fresh tone of the choir and they sing the piece as if they believe in it. […] Crown’s direction is sure-footed. In particular he’s successful in maintaining the flow that’s so vital in this plainchant-derived music […] The coupling is most unusual and very enterprising.
John Quinn, Music Web International
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, December 2012
Crown and his students can be proud of their accomplishment. They have managed to convey the mystery and the majesty of Duruflé’s masterpiece.
George Chien, Fanfare Magazine
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, March/April 2013 (Issue 36:4)
While Somerville doesn't have the cachet of the bigger colleges, its singers are enthusiastic, and their commitment infuses this recording with great character. […] The Somerville voices sound so fresh and pure that one can understand why Milford thought of Christmas and presumably angels and happiness. […] This recording is a milestone for Milford, but also a showcase for the Oxford college choir tradition, created afresh by the Somerville College Choir. It seems odd to call a CD of masses a "hit", but this one is!
Classical Iconoclast
Review of the Somerville Choir’s debut CD, September 2012
I just want to congratulate the Choir of Somerville, Oxford, for a magnificent evening last night.Congratulations to their leader David Crown who has made magic with the choices of music as well as the quality of music and harmony. Bravo and good luck for the future.
Nelly Miricioiu (opera singer and singing teacher)
Concert at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London, 3 November 2012
From the very first piece, the 22 mixed voices of Somerville College Choir evoked an atmosphere of high spirituality […] The performance was perfect, dynamic, expressive.
Il Cittadino di Lodi (Italian newspaper)
Review of a concert at San Francesco, Lodi (Italy), July 2010
The liturgical part of the evening was exquisitely ecumenical in scope, as it saw an alternation between the singing and prayer of the congregation and that of the prestigious Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, in a joyous coming together of Catholicism and Anglican tradition. […]. In the Vaughan Williams vocal splendour and dynamic effects of great emotional impact brought the piece from quietness to a crescendo of powerful expressivity. The Taverner piece, with its very modern style, alternated between monophony and polyphony in a cradling atmosphere, fitting for a piece written for Taverner’s 3-year-old nephew. The piece by the Welsh composer Mathias burst forth with brilliance while an evocative contemplation of light was offered by the American composer Whitacre in Lux aurumque.
Il Nuovo Torrazzo (Italian newspaper)
Review of a concert at San Bernardino Crema (Italy), July 2010
Teaching
"David was brilliant with his enthusiasm in his teaching"
"Loved every minute of it"
"Conductor was superb. Difficult to see how it could be improved"
"In awe of David"
"David was fabulous"
"Absolutely excellent, amazing leadership"
Students commenting on a conducting masterclass
"Loved every minute of it"
"Conductor was superb. Difficult to see how it could be improved"
"In awe of David"
"David was fabulous"
"Absolutely excellent, amazing leadership"
Students commenting on a conducting masterclass
