Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

April 5, 1922

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Harry Freedman was a Canadian composer, conductor, and clarinetist who was born on April 5, 1922, in Poland. He was the youngest of four children in a Jewish family. His family moved to Canada when he was just a year old, and they settled in Toronto. Freedman's father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Freedman showed an early interest in music and began playing the clarinet at the age of 12. He studied music at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and later at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He also studied composition with John Weinzweig, who was a prominent Canadian composer. Freedman's early compositions were influenced by his Jewish heritage, and he often incorporated Jewish themes and melodies into his works. One of his early works, "Kaddish," was written in memory of his father, who had passed away. The piece was later performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and received critical acclaim. In 1951, Freedman was awarded a scholarship to study composition at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Massachusetts. While there, he studied with Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and Lukas Foss. These experiences had a significant impact on Freedman's musical style, and he began to incorporate more modernist elements into his compositions. Freedman's career as a composer took off in the 1950s and 1960s. He wrote numerous works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. One of his most famous works is "Images," which was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1961. The piece is a musical depiction of the Canadian landscape and has become a staple of Canadian classical music. Freedman was also a prolific composer of choral music. He wrote several works for choir, including "To a Poet," which was based on the poetry of Walt Whitman. The piece was commissioned by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and was premiered in 1967. In addition to his work as a composer, Freedman was also a respected conductor. He conducted several orchestras in Canada, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Freedman was also a passionate advocate for Canadian music. He was a founding member of the Canadian League of Composers and served as its president from 1965 to 1967. He also served as the director of the Canadian Music Centre from 1971 to 1978. Freedman's later works continued to explore modernist elements while also incorporating more traditional elements. One of his last works, "The Ultimate Poem is Silence," was written in 2001 and was based on the poetry of Rumi. The piece was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and was premiered in 2002. Freedman received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987 and was awarded the Order of Ontario in 1993. He also received the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1991 and the Toronto Arts Award in 1992. Freedman passed away on September 16, 2005, at the age of 83. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be celebrated and performed in Canada and around the world. His contributions to Canadian music and his dedication to promoting Canadian composers have had a lasting impact on the classical music community.

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