Cellist Alastair Eng joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2017. Born and raised in Toronto, he also serves as the Assistant Principal Cello of the Santa Fe Opera Company Orchestra.
Prior to joining the TSO, he was the Associate Principal Cello of the Canadian Opera Company for seven seasons. He has also performed as Guest Principal Cello with the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa, Canada).
His playing has been described as “exquisite” (Broadway World), “a highlight” (The Classical Review), and “songfully performed” (National Post). Mr. Eng has worked extensively with the GRAMMY® Award–nominated chamber orchestra A Far Cry (Boston, Massachusetts), and has also performed with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra (UK). As a chamber musician, he has appeared at Ravinia Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Strings Music Festival, and Santa Fe Chamber Music.
Mr. Eng has led string and cello sectionals for the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Boston Youth Philharmonic, and the Taylor Performance Academy of The Royal Conservatory (RCM), and has served as Assistant Conductor of the RCM’s Community School Orchestra. In September 2020, Alastair joined the faculty of Axis Music, a tuition-free music program for children and youth living in Toronto Community Housing.
When not performing, Alastair enjoys devoting his time to arranging music of all kinds for a wide variety of instrumentations. His scores have been heard across North America and Europe, in venues as varied as the Musikverein and Fenway Park. He has received commissions from violinist Augustin Hadelich, guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and A Far Cry, among many others. His arrangements have been called “sweet” (The Boston Globe), “delightfully schmalzy” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer), and “serious and surreal” (Strings Magazine).
Mr. Eng earned his Master of Music degree with honours from the New England Conservatory, and holds a Performance Diploma from the RCM. He also studied at The Mount Royal Conservatory and The Banff Centre. His principal teachers were Lawrence Lesser and John Kadz.