Max Christie
Principal clarinetist, National Ballet of Canada
Canada
Légère reeds provide me with complete and consistent reliability, ease of response and articulation, and quality of sound that meets the demands I put on myself in my professional work. I found it extremely easy making the transition from cane reeds. I certainly don’t miss any of the fuss and difficulty with response brought about by changes in weather or as the reed breaks in. What we do is hard enough, and I’m happy to have the security of knowing my Légère reed will step up each time I need it.

Clarinetist Max Christie’s career is defined by excellence and versatility. As comfortable in the soloist’s role as he is in the orchestra, he is a gifted chamber musician as well an insightful experienced interpreter of the most important modern and contemporary works.
Mr. Christie has performed and toured with the National Ballet Orchestra , where he holds the principal clarinet chair. He has sat as principal as well with the Canadian Opera Company, The Esprit Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared as soloist with the Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic , Esprit Orchestra, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony and the Windsor Symphony. The former principal clarinet of the Esprit Orchestra, he remains a devoted champion of new music, especially by young Canadian composers.
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He as recorded and performed with the most prominent contemporary music ensembles in the country, including Toca Loca, Soundstreams, Continuum Contemporary Music, Array Music and New Music Concerts. His recording of Elliot Carter’s music, including the solo work Gra, is available on the Naxos Label. The Spawn of Abe, a double concerto with Oboe by MC Maguire, was released on the Innova label. He recorded with David Occhipinti on the disc camera, and with Patricia O’Callaghan on her release of the songs of George Gershwin. He has also recorded the music of Harry Somers, Rudolph Koumorous. Contemporary solo performances include the works by Gavin Bryars, Anders Hillborg, Paul Frehner, and Michel Gonneville.
Onstage, he has accompanied some of the finest dancers in the country with the National Ballet of Canada and with Peggy Baker Dance Projects.