Matthew McAllister (classical guitar)

Featured in Classical Guitar Magazine after an extremely busy start to his professional career, Natural Studio Records artist Matthew McAllister has been delighting audiences across Europe and beyond with his thoughtful performances and effortless presentation. From renaissance miniatures to contemporary masterpieces, Matthew’s style encompasses it all – an eclectism that is reflected in his output to date.

Born in Falkirk and raised in the East Neuk of Fife, Matthew studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, with Allan Neave. During his studies Matthew toured with the Scottish Ballet, performed at The 5th & 7th Simon Bolivar Guitar Festivals held at The Venezuelan Embassy in London, recorded for the BBC Artists Index and appeared on BBC and Spanish Television.

Since graduating with BMus (Hons) in 2003, Matthew has enjoyed continued success, including headlining the Southwell International Festival alongside Aled Jones, appearances at major guitar festivals – such as the Classical Guitar Camp (Malaysia), Ordu International Guitar Festival (Turkey), Dundee International Guitar Festival (Scotland) and Metu International Guitar Festival (Turkey) and touring in Ireland, Scotland, England and Denmark with his duos: Maelasta and the Agnew / McAllister Duo

Matthew has released three albums with Natural Studio Records to find out more and listen to audio clips please visit the discography.

“...nicely poetic… finely played … beautiful tone …”
Classical Guitar Magazine

“... a sought after performer and skilled exponent of the guitar [with] a fine sense of style, a wealth of tone, an enviable fluency, and a sensitive ear …”
The Courier

“...McAllister’s considerable charisma and confortable stage presence filtered through to his witty, yet tender and considered playing throughout…”
Belfast Telegraph

Matthew would like to thank Donald Fergusson, Allan Neave, Gary Ryan, Scott Tennant, John Feeley, Paul Galbratih, Paul Gregory, Carlos Bonnell, David Nicholson, Wissam Boustany, Charles Tunnell, Neil Black and William Bennett for their advice and tuition during various masterclasses, academy studies and residencies.

http://www.matthewmcallister.com

Discography:

Matthew McAllister / Merula

Maelasta / Maelasta

Agnew McAllister / Recital

Artist’s Itinerary (click dates for more info):

17/05/08 - Geldrop, Eindhoven, Netherlands
20/05/08 - Waalwijk, Netherlands
21/05/08 - Tilburg, Netherlands
23/05/08 - Groningen, Netherlands
24/05/08 - Enkhuizen, Netherlands

Matthew McAllister / Merula @ Tokafi.com

It has almost become a general consensus that classical and contemporary repertoire need to be treated fundamentally different. “Merula”, however, works exactly because it defies the dogma. For his debut album, Matthew McAllister has taken the liberty of showing his abilties within the most diverse contexts, of organising a time-travel package through the ages and of recording his own interpretations of “a choice selection of classic guitar repertoire, alongside newer styles of contemporary guitar music.”

Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Classical Guitar

The Agnew/McAllister duo once again show their talents as arrangers in a superb presentation of the Fantasie from “Carmen” where Aisling Agnew displays her highly polished, fluid technique to its best advantage … Throughout this recording the duo handles all the technical and musical requirements with aplomb and have produced a most alluring disc.

Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Tokafi.com

If you can’t catch this duo live, then “Recital” is the next best thing … a work which lures you into loving it by its unintrusive nature … it is vivid and full of the pleasure of being alive