Applause

“...jaw-dropping technical display...The always incredible Robert Spring is joined by the equally amazing saxophonist, Timothy McAllister, a well-known master of his instrument.” Daniel Coombs Audiophile Audition
“Timothy McAllister gave intense, intelligent performances...mournful [and] exuberant...” Bruce Hodges S&H International Concert Review - MusicWeb (UK)
“Top Classical Saxophone Recordings - Timothy McAllister (Scena and Visions)” Mark Stryker Detroit Free Press, October 2000
“"McAllister precisely conveyed the mood of every stylistic alley into which Bolcom peered. His saxophone delivered dialogue, as well as notes, as he brought his own experiences to Bolcom’s hodgepodge of a musical canvas...the arrangement of John Williams' Catch Me If You Can score gives plenty of opportunity to display his technical wizardry and dynamic control."” Gregory Sullivan Isaacs Critic, Theater Jones: Arts News in North Texas
“John Adams said he wouldn't wish [that alto saxophone solo] on anyone, but Timothy McAllister dispatching it with wonderful grace on this world premiere evening.” Fred Child Commentary from American Public Media/Performance Today's coverage of Gustavo Dudamel's Inaugural Concert with the LA Phil
“Friday evening, Jennifer Higdon's lyrical Soprano Sax Concerto displayed the classical capabilities of the instrument and the musical talents of soloist Timothy McAllister. The music concentrates on song-like lines and emotional sensitivity rather than virtuosic fireworks, though McAllister's gleaming tone and supple runs enhanced this fine work.” Phyllis Rosenblum The Santa Cruz Sentinel
“It was Higdon's concerto that offered the most sublime musical moments on the program...her saxophone concerto is an extremely lyrical piece whose ideas are clear and free of musical meandering...The work was played with warmth and agility by saxophonist Timothy McAllister, and Higdon smartly capitalized on the subtle power of the soprano sax as counterpoint to a small orchestra. What resulted was a tasty balance, with an almost pastoral feel to the work. In the realm of contemporary music, finding a jewel amid the programmed mix is a rare music moment. And this concert delivered it with Higdon's concerto.” Edward Oriz The Sacramento Bee
“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.

” David Fleshler The Miami Herald/South Florida Classical Review
“In Jennifer Higdon’s 2007 Soprano Saxophone Concerto, Tim McAllister was equally amazing. He produced a clearly focused sound in all registers — and some were very extreme. Introspective, complex chords at the opening were quite satisfying and led to lengthy, florid solo passages and clever interchanges with orchestral solos...Higdon’s formal organization also is quite free, but her single-movement concept kept musical ideas fairly compact. McAllister’s artistry helped.” Gregory Barnes The State, Columbia, South Carolina
“[Glint] is a varied anthology of contemporary pieces...tangy, oxygen rich and kaleidoscopic.
” Rob Barnett MusicWeb-International (UK)
“City Noir is about process, not stasis...there was a prominent part for saxophone (played by the steady Timothy McAllister)...” Arthur Kaptainis National Post (Toronto)
“a mature, polished performer...whose dynamic and color contrasts enhance his ability to communicate - Bravo!” Leone Buyse Former Associate Principal Flute, Boston Symphony Orchestra
“Mr. McAllister 'has a singing legato matched with excellent and fluent technique...a superior performer.'” Philip Farkas Legendary Hornist, Former Principal Horn, Chicago Symphony
“hypnotically swirling lines and propulsive rhythms...brilliantly performed by all concerned and recorded with life-like fidelity.” R. Schulslaper FANFARE Magazine
“Timothy McAllister is both an agile soloist, easily surmounting any technical hurdles, and an expressive, communicative musician able to plumb the depths or scale the heights of these contemporary composers’ inspirations. His fellow musicians are equally accomplished; these renditions are finely honed collaborations between talented peers.” R. Schulslaper FANFARE Magazine
“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. The single-movement concerto consisted of long stretches of ever-evolving melisma, with phrases cleverly imitated by other solo instruments in a way that seemed to weave a tapestry to the glory of melody. This work is a significant testament to beauty.” Jeff Dunn San Francisco Classical Voice
“...the music is dramatic and colorful, requiring all sorts of novel saxophone sounds...high level of musicality in the playing...the musicianship of Duo Nuova is impeccable. McAllister's tone is creamy, and his fingering and tonguing are impressive.” Stephen Max American Record Guide
“McAllister's evocative renditions and virtuoso artistry throughout the CD [SCENA] enables the music, as well as the saxophone, to transcend the potential pitfalls inherent in an ambitious project of this nature and allow the listener to be embraced by the musical challenges presented for both performer and listener...an excellent CD in both performance and composition of music.” Frank Bongiorno The Saxophone Symposium
“Higdon's Soprano Sax Concerto began and ended in a pastoral mood (a la Copland's Clarinet Concerto) and featured smooth, sweet and virtuosic playing by Timothy McAllister.” Scott MacClelland Metro Santa Cruz
“...a contrasting sense of solemnity followed...yet moving...” Jeremy Eichler The New York Times
“One of America's bright young stars in teaching and in performing...exceptionally gifted.” Michael Segell Author and Editor, New York Daily News
“Mead’s melodies are angular and supple, and McAllister renders them with a lyrical modern touch. Steady Study on the Boogie…is a fascinating piece, and McAllister plays it beautifully.” Steve Hicken American Record Guide - Review of Scena
“Your record [SCENA] is exceptional and the interpretation of Steady Study on the Boogie is maybe the best I have ever heard...Thank you for playing and teaching my music so brilliantly!” Christian Lauba Award-winning French composer
“No doubt this disc will be much studied and admired by saxophonists and certainly deserves hearing among a still wider audience...remarkably good and thought provoking” Robert McColley Fanfare Magazine - Review of Visions
“...McAllister performed solos crucial to the work’s flavor with brashness that never overpowered a beautifully rounded tone.” Michael Rodman The Ann Arbor News
“The LA Philharmonic played beautifully throughout the performance (indeed, through the entire evening), with notable solo work from Timothy McAllister on saxophone...” Robert D. Thomas Music Critic, Pasadena Star-News
“[City Noir's] second movement, “The Song Is for You,” is softer and, on the surface, sweeter than the first, and jazzy. I heard hints of Gershwin in the horns after a flamboyant saxophone solo played by Timothy McAllister.” Mark Swed Los Angeles Times
“[McAllister] gave a remarkable performance of my Concerto, unmatched by others.” Ross Lee Finney
“...McAllister's flexibility of sound, judicious use of vibrato, ease of altissimo, and tonal techniques make it possible to listen without distraction.” Debra McKim The Saxophone Symposium
“Timothy McAllister is one of the best soprano players I have ever heard. The way he performs my Garden of Love, with such ease, even in the high registers, is simply stunning: a breathtaking polished tone, combined with brilliant singing vibrato, and this typical American swing, what more could a composer want...Chapeau!” JacobTV (aka Jacob ter Veldhuis) Celebrated Dutch Avant-Pop composer
“Chambers' Come Down Heavy! ...a tour de force that tested the upper sonic limits in wild and woolly playing by Timothy McAllister on alto sax...” John Fleming St. Petersburg Times
“(John) Adams goes for more than stylizations with [City Noir's] wily jazz spine. Keeping a sweaty, smoky after-hours jam percolating were Timothy McAllister’s volcanic sax...” Lewis Whittington American Record Guide (Sept/Oct 2010)
“…breathtaking and spectacular…a revolution displayed in the hands of an artist…” Donald Sinta Earl V. Moore Distinguished Professor of Saxophone, The University of Michigan
“brilliant solos were in abundance, especially by Timothy McAllister...” Janos Gereben San Francisco Classical Voice
“I have great admiration for your great talent...I have been very impressed by your masterful technique, by the simplicity of your playing, by your musical intelligence, by the perfect presentation...” Jean-Marie Londeix Legendary Saxophonist, Conservatoire National de Bourdeaux
“Tim McAllister is a stunning saxophonist…he has played and recorded two of my saxophone works, and I can't imagine them being played any better by anyone.” William Bolcom Pulitzer Prize in Composition 1988
“Dudamel led a bracing, propulsive performance with instrumental lines clear even in Adams’ most riotous contrapuntal moments. The L.A. Phil members covered themselves in glory with outstanding contributions by trumpeter Donald Green, trombonist James Miller and, especially, Timothy McAllister’s evocative and bravura alto sax playing.” Lawrence A. Johnson The Classical Review
“...a variety of great works offered here, by talented and innovative composers, and played by a superbly skilled team of soloists...an amazing achievement for McAllister.” Ronald Grames FANFARE Magazine
“The LA Phil played superbly, with special kudos to saxophonist Timothy McAllister...” Robert D. Thomas Music Critic, Pasadena Star-News