Album Notes

Recognised for his interpretive ability, wide ranging tone colour and expressive playing, Altus Flutes Artist Christopher Lee is a laureate of the 2007 AGIMUS International Competition held in Italy.

“From the first note, I knew you have what I search for in the flute – originality, creativity and a subtle sense of humour with all the technique to go with it!” - Dr.Atarah Ben-Tovim M.B.E., former Principal Flute Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

“Great Sound and _fantastic_character…you really had us eating out of your hand!” - Dr.Michelle Cheramy, Professor of Flute Memorial University.

Chris is currently Associate Principal Flute of the Toronto Philharmonia, an orchestra he joined in 1991. From 1988 to 1991 he performed, toured and recorded as Principal Flute with the Band of the Royal Regiment of Canada. Since 1994 he has also performed with the Huntsville Festival Symphony at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts held every summer.
He has appeared as soloist with numerous ensembles including the Toronto Philharmonia. His many recitals include appearances at the British Embassy Church of St. George, Madrid, Spain, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and a special concert in 1994 to benefit the Seville Opera House. Recent and upcoming performances include collaboration with guitarist/composer James Brown.
Chris has performed with several other orchestras including the Windsor Symphony, the touring orchestra of "Scotland the Brave", the Grand Salon Orchestra, Sinfonia Toronto, the Canadian Sinfonietta, the Hamilton Ballet Orchestra, the Oshawa Symphony and the Kingston Symphony. In addition, he has worked under numerous conductors including Raffi Armenian, Enriquez Batiz, Jose Luis Garcia, Georg Kugi and Kerry Stratton.
He began formal study of flute at age 19 with Margot Rydall at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto. One year later in 1988, he entered the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto and was subsequently awarded the licentiate in flute performance (L.T.C.L) from Trinity College of Music, London, England. He also completed the Orchestral Training Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music. His mentors include some of the world’s great flautists, Susan Hoeppner, William Bennett O.B.E. and Peg Albrecht. In addition to the above there have been masterclasses and lessons with Julius Baker, Carl Hall, Per Oien, Donald Peck, Camille Watts and Carol Wincenc.

In 1996 he founded and performed with the woodwind sextet known as Les Six whose members represented some of Toronto's finest wind musicians. Les Six made their debut concert in March of 1997 which was recorded and broadcast by CBC Stereo. He has been a frequent guest of the popular “A Little Night Music” series presented by conductor Kerry Stratton and of the Alicier Arts Chamber Music series. He also appears on recordings with singer/songwriter Michael Holt.
Whilst being a familiar presence on the recital and chamber music stage, Chris also finds time to fulfill important activities as an adjudicator and teacher. He has performed in Canada, the United States, and Europe and there have been performances for the heads of state (former and current) of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway. His performances have been aired on CBC radio and in 2005 he released a recording of music for flute, harp and violin. In 2010 he was invited to be on the jury along with flautist Patricia Creighton for the First Annual Canadian Flute Association Competition. Chris is professor of flute at Canada Christian College.
Chris performs on a handmade Altus flute of Japan made by Altus founder, Suichi Tanaka. His baroque flute is a 1796 Grenser copy made by Boaz Berney.



This recording features mainly Chris' arrangements of some of the greatest melodies in opera, song and orchestral literature remaining as faithful to the original score as possible. Recording engineer Paul Hodge has done an amazing job of staying true to the tonal qualities of all the instruments while allowing the naturally warm and rich acoustics of the Music Gallery. It was recorded in Toronto and is dedicated to his parents.