Hailed by The New York Times as a “virtuoso…one of the foremost saxophonists of his generation”, “brilliant”(The Guardian, UK), and “a sterling saxophonist” (The Baltimore Sun), TIMOTHY McALLISTER is one of today’s premier soloists, a member of the renowned PRISM Quartet, and a champion of contemporary music credited with dozens of recordings and over 150 premieres of new compositions by eminent and emerging composers worldwide. His 2022 premiere of John Corgiliano’s Triathlon: Concerto for Saxophonist and Orchestra, which employs soprano, alto and baritone saxes, was a tour de force “he gave the piece the knockout performance it deserved” (San Francisco Chronicle).
McAllister’s rise to international fame came in 2009 with his celebrated work in John Adams’s “City Noir,” filmed as part of Gustavo Dudamel’s inaugural concert as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the world premiere of John Adams’s Saxophone Concerto in August 2013 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the composer in the Sydney Opera House. Subsequent critically acclaimed U.S. premieres with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony followed, along with engagements with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra at the London Proms, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the New World Symphony, among others.
McAllister has recently been soloist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Royal Band of the Belgian Air Force, United States Navy Band, Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia, Tokyo Wind Symphony, Pacific Symphony and the Nashville Symphony, among others. An in-demand orchestral saxophonist, he has toured in the U.S. and abroad with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among many others.
A renowned teacher of his instrument, he has served as Professor of Saxophone at Northwestern University (IL), a Valade Artist Fellow for the Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), and is a clinician for the Conn-Selmer and D’Addario companies. In September 2014 he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music, succeeding his legendary mentor, Donald Sinta. McAllister’s work can be heard on the Nonesuch, Deutsche Grammphon, Naxos, OMM, Stradivarius, Centaur, AUR, Albany, Parma, New Dynamic, Equilibrium, New Focus and innova record labels.
“he gave the piece the knockout performance it deserved” “McAllister gave a fluent demonstration of what his instrument — all his instruments — can do. He tore his way nimbly through intricate passagework, shaped lyrical melodies with the grace of an opera singer, and gave the piece all the theatrical panache it wanted.” [John Corigliano’s ‘Triathlon’ – premiere with the San Francisco Symphony] San Francisco Chronicle
The premiere of «Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith)» by artiste étoile Tyshawn Sorey brings a meditative contrast. Together with saxophonist Timothy McAllister, the musicians painted broad lines and dig deep into the mysteries of sound. The plucking strings are falling drops of water that keep sounding different. The mixture of bass clarinet, trombones and string basses – a hum that vibrates inside us. Lucerner Zeitung
“World-renowned saxophonist Timothy McAllister’s brilliant, crowd-pleasing performance was equal parts rock-star swagger and supremely polished musicianship” The Buffalo News
“Sorey’s concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra, Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith) (2022), was given its world premiere performance by the orchestra, with the composer’s long-time collaborator Timothy McAllister as its fantastic soloist.” AIM-Adventures in Music
“The three-part challenge for McAllister… was switching from soprano to alto and then to baritone, then back, in the course of the piece. A tremendous saxophonist, McAllister played with great strength, bright tone, and excellent intonation—including the altissimo register—on all his horns. The orchestra sounded equally solid and confident.” “…the overall energy was exciting, not just from McAllister but channeled through the orchestra, and in the end it bought the house down in cheers for soloist, orchestra, and composer.” [John Corigliano’s ‘Triathlon’ with the Albany Symphony] New York Classical Review
“Timothy McAllister flew through complicated passagework, produced high notes of arresting intensity and intoned lyrical lines with soul and playfulness” ClevelandClassical.Com
“a titan of contemporary music and the instrument in general” Cleveland Plain Dealer
“McAllister was phenomenal, giving a dazzling performance that rocked the audience to its feet for a prolonged and well-deserved ovation” St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Handling the extensive saxophone solos was guest musician Timothy McAllister, who performed the work’s world premiere and who was brought in at Adams’ request. Although seated in the middle of the orchestra, he stood for the solos and played the jazz-inspired riffs in a nervy, improvisatory style, a highlight of what was a fine performance.” The Miami Herald/South Florida Classical Review
“The [Cabrillo Festival Opening] concert’s highlight concluded its first half: Jennifer Higdon’s Soprano Sax Concerto…and it was superbly realized by soloist Timothy McAllister…This work is a significant testament to beauty.” San Francisco Classical Voice
