“Adams imparts a lighter touch to the orchestration to support the solo alto saxophone’s sinewy lines, played with wondrous dexterity by Timothy McAllister”

Pwyll ap Sion GRAMOPHONE Magazine (Aug. 2014)

“McAllister was phenomenal, giving a dazzling performance that rocked the audience to its feet for a prolonged and well-deserved ovation”

Sarah Bryan Miller St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Oct 2013)

“He gave the piece the knockout performance it deserved…[McAlllister] 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.”

J.Kosman [John Corigliano’s ‘Triathlon’ - world premiere with the San Francisco Symphony] San Francisco Chronicle

“McAllister was the tirelessly virtuosic soloist, playing with rhythmic drive and confident swagger…”

Hugo Shirley The Telegraph (UK) (9/5/14)

“McAllister is at the center of what’s probably the most mainstream classical saxophone disc of the decade - John Adams’ City Noir and Saxophone Concerto on Nonesuch”

David Patrick Stearns The Philadelphia Inquirer (April 2014)

“the audience was left breathless by the astonishing virtuosity of Timothy McAllister”

Bertrand Hainaut DIAPASON (France) (1/4/2018)

“a fearless musician and risk taker…a one-of-a-kind artist the way Yo-Yo Ma is”

John Adams Pulitzer Prize Laureate and Grammy-winning composer

“a titan of contemporary music and the instrument in general”

Zachary Lewis The Plain Dealer, Cleveland (10/7/14)

“World-renowned saxophonist Timothy McAllister’s brilliant, crowd-pleasing performance was equal parts rock-star swagger and supremely polished musicianship”

Leonidas Lagrimas The Buffalo News (12/8/2019)

“fantastic virtuosity and lyric beauty”

John Corigliano Pulitzer Prize Laureate, Grammy, and Oscar-winning composer

“…breathtaking and spectacular…a revolution displayed in the hands of an artist…”

Donald Sinta Earl V. Moore Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Saxophone, The University of Michigan

“A tremendous saxophonist, McAllister played with great strength, bright tone, and excellent intonation—including the altissimo register—on all his horns…in the end Corigliano’s ‘Triathlon’ brought the house down in cheers for soloist, orchestra, and composer.”

George Grella New York Classical Review (6/5/22)

Latest Release

American Classics: Copland / Creston / Kay / Piston; Falletta, McAllister, Mattix; NOI Philharmonic

American Classics: Copland / Creston / Kay / Piston; Falletta, McAllister, Mattix; NOI Philharmonic

This recording brings together four extraordinary mid-20th-century composers who helped shape America’s musical destiny. Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land is a moving tribute to the American rancher and farmer. It forms a profound celebration of those unsung heroes of that country’s landscape, and is perhaps his greatest expression of the preciousness of life. Walter Piston is represented by his colourful and beguiling The Incredible Flutist, which depicts a traveling circus led by a magical musician who is able to heal the sorrows of those who hear his music. The two premiere recordings here are the original orchestral version of Paul Creston’s thrilling Saxophone Concerto, and Ulysses Kay’s Pietà – a beautiful elegy inspired by Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

Release Date November 24, 2023
Producer NAXOS
Catalog Number 8.559911
All Recordings

New Chandos and Naxos Recording Projects

New Album Releases on the way!

Coming in November 2023, Naxos artist and Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic JoAnn Falletta will release a series of rarely heard American works with the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic. Recorded at the NOI Festival in 2022, the album features Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra. Often performed in its version for wind band, this recording documents the iconic saxophone work in its origin…

Full Article

Upcoming Performances

  2. TMEA President’s Concert: Soloist with the Dallas Winds

    Lila Cockrell Theatre
    8:00 PM

    John Corigliano: Triathlon for Saxophonist and Wind Ensemble (band version, 2023; orig 2020)
    Jerry Junkin, conductor

  4. Los Angeles Philharmonic; John Adams “City Noir”

    Walt Disney Concert Hall
    11:00 AM

    March 22-24, 2024 (exact times below)
    John Adams - City Noir
    John Adams, conductor

  5. The Cleveland Orchestra; John Adams “City Noir”

    Severance
    7:30 PM

    April 4-6, 2024
    John Adams “City Noir”
    John Adams, conductor

    Ticket Information
All Performances

Live Excerpts

  • Abduction from Montag aus Licht

    Karlheinz Stockhausen
    Play

  • Children's Songs

    Chick Corea
    Play

  • Concerto for Alto Saxophone and 11 Instruments

    Andrew Mead
    Play

  • Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Orchestra

    Ingolf Dahl
    Play

  • Csardas

    Vittorio Monti
    Play

  • Duo Sonata for Two Baritone Saxophones

    Sofia Gubaidulina
    Play

  • Escapades: Suite from "Catch Me If You Can"

    John Williams
    Play

  • Sonata, Mvt. IV Nocturne et Final

    Fernande Decruck
    Play

  • Soprano Sax Concerto

    Jennifer Higdon
    Play

  • Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, Op. 26 - Mvt. III

    Paul Creston
    Play