for solo performance at NY Theremin Society:
for Prismatic Hearing CD:
"Simons had a sure grasp of his materials and the ends to which they could be put."
"[Dematerialized] very effectively illustrates how orchestral sounds and voices, modulated electronically, can be shaped into a composition that transcends its source materials."
for The Birth of George opera CD:
"
concert at Theater Utan Kayu, Jakarta, January 14, 2000:
Homemades:
"A theremin that sounded like a chorus of wailing alien babies. . .
Simons takes innovation and personalization to an extreme."
"David Simons performed on the Theremin with the
serious mien of someone conducting a seance."
"Most surprising are two contributions from David Simons [on Gamelan Son of Lion CD].
Kebyar Leyak juxtaposes the traditional instruments with processed text and sound,
lending the rather fantastic account a hair-raising touch of realism and immediacy."
"The duo Lisa Karrer and David Simons was joined by Tunnetusuksus, and together they played an unbelieveably exciting and mind bending set"
-Mart Jaanson, Eesti Paevaleht (Estonia) ‘95
"One of the highlights was ‘the language of frogs’ (Four Kotekan); with wooden sticks and bamboo mouth instruments they created a croaking tone, slapping their knees and stalking through the delighted audience"
-Mainzer Rhein Zeitung,(Germany) October ‘95
"David Simons, virtuoso of sampling technology and homemade instruments"
- Kyle Gann, Village Voice Dec. ‘95
"David Simons score saved the piece."
-Linda Belans, Raleigh NC News and Observer July ‘91
"The real star here is the score, composed and performed by David Simons."
"Simons’ music was itself a visual participant."
"David Simons is a one man sound effects department."
"Music that is primitive in the most refined sense of the word." -Lisa Bergmann, Noe Valley Voice ‘79
"Total concentration is required. Then and only then, when your perceptions co-exist on a similarly high plane, will you begin to understand what is going on here."
****(4 stars) Downbeat Magazine April ‘76
"Exhilarating crescendos and exquisite timing...carried the listener to mysterious crevices in the mind"
-Cate Miodini, Dance Pages Winter ‘84
"Mr. Simons’ music sounded gorgeous... an astonishing rainbow of effects from digital sampling keyboards and blending - with unexpected appropriateness - are Simons’ collection of exotic acoustical instruments from the East...the sound pictures were fascinating"
"Conceptually the installation is a great intro-duction to some interesting ideas on the durability of myth-making as a human activity."
"
Maroney and Simons are heirs to the American pioneers who questioned established practice in music. They bring this circus of noises to the public’s attention in improvised form and at high speed.""
A shimmering, foreboding electronic score.""What gives it coherence is the spare, atmospheric music David Simons devises: plucked or gently struck strings; soothing, dark rumblings; the vibrancy of a jew’s harp; the eerie whirr of a bullroarer"
Reviews of concert at Theater Utan Kayu, Jakarta, January 14, 2000:
"
"
Before the peak of the program, the musicians presented Virtual Percussion Trio, in which the sound of the Theremin, voice and viola became one kind of contemporary music which was very integrated. The long applause that followed the end of the performance was a clear sign of the enjoyment of the audience. Bravo!"