John Corigliano
Triathlon (2020) for Saxophonist and Orchestra
Composed in 2020 and premiered in 2022 due to a Covid-19 pandemic delay, Corigliano’s tenth concerto for a solo instrument, and his first work for saxophone, was composed for Timothy McAllister and dedicated to Michele and Larry Corash, who co-commissioned the work with the San Francisco Symphony. Inspired by athletics and the technical prowess of McAllister, the work explores the full sonic and expressive capabilities of three primary members of the saxophone family: soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones. Also available in a version for wind band, also premiered by McAllister with the Dallas Winds in February 2024, the work is available through G.Schirmer, Inc.
Booking Information
- Martha Woods
- President
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Jonathan Wentworth Associates Ltd.
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6118 40th AvenueHyattsville, Maryland 20782-3012
- Martha@Jwentworth.com
Video Highlights
Interviews & Features
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“Premiere of John Corigliano's Saxophonist Concerto 'Triathlon'”
Wise Music Classical, April 2022 -
“Saxophone virtuoso thrilled to introduce athletic 'Triathlon' concerto with S.F. Symphony”
Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, April 2022 -
“Colorado Music Festival features world renowned saxophonist Timothy McAllister performing piece written specifically for him”
Libby Smith, CBS News Colorado, July 2023 -
“Saxophonist Timothy McAllister Trains For His Triathlon”
Craig Byrd, Cultural Attache, April 2022
The Critics Speak
[Review: “Albany Symphony, Cheng and McAllister in top form”]
To finish the evening, John Corigliano’s “Triathlon for Saxophonist and Orchestra” would be hard to beat. With Grammy-winning saxophonist Timothy McAllister as the star, the piece is not only a tour de force for the saxophone but also for the orchestra…the overall effect was buoyant, bold, funky, and very in-your-face confident.“
“John Corigliano’s ‘Triathlon’ with saxophone soloist Timothy McAllister was the finale and a knock out success…a commanding performance with the composer on hand to share in the ovation.”
“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.”
“It is a formidable challenge for a saxophonist to make the composer’s astonishing range of sounds flow as smoothly and enticingly as McAllister does, nor is it a given that the intricate rhythmic give-and-take between soloist and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero could fall into place as merrily as it did…the results, however, were nothing short of exhilarating…the thrills come partly from McAllister’s virtuosity but also from Corigliano’s fertile orchestral imagination.”
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“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.”
“fantastic virtuosity and lyric beauty”