Music

Dr. George Freundlich has been a musician all his life. His parents loved music, taking him to opera performances in their hometown of Cluj when he was only two years old. Then Dr. George’s talent was recognized about a year later when a couple of local opera singers heard him singing in Central Park. They urged his parents to enroll him in a music kindergarten, which he attended before moving on to a fine arts school.

Dr. George studied music at The Arts School in Cluj, where he received a B.A. in Fine Arts and was able to master the violin, piano and trombone. When he was 17, Dr. George was chosen as a member of the prestigious Romanian Youth Orchestra. In 1973, the RYO was invited to participate in the inaugural International Festival of Youth Orchestras (IFYO) in Aberdeen, Scotland.

A total of 20 orchestras from around the world came to Aberdeen to perform, with judges attending each concert on consecutive nights. The winners of the orchestral contest were Romania and West Germany. Both countries performed a concert in London in Kenwood Park, attended by over 10,000 people. They also performed in the world-famous Royal Albert Hall under Zdenek Kosler and legendary conductor Leopold Stowkowski.

Below you will find several links to recordings of Freundlich’s music, as well as articles about his musical career.

MixCloud

SoundCloud

Career

A career musician, Dr. George performed for many years with the award-winning Timmins Symphony Orchestra (trombone) and the Timmins All-Star Big Band (trombone, saxophone). The Timmins Symphony Orchestra is a cherished institution in the town of Timmins, ON. It was established in 1979 to provide the community with access to classical music and to offer local musicians a platform to showcase their talents. The TSO has grown significantly since its inception and continues to perform a variety of concerts each season, ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary works.

The Timmins All-Star Big Band is also a cultural institution in the town, comprised of local musicians who celebrate the rich tradition of big band music. The Timmins All-Star Big Band performs classics from the genre, as well as contemporary pieces. The band is known for its lively performances and community participation. It often participates in local events and festivals, bringing the vibrant sounds of big-band music to a wider audience.

Freundlich’s early experiences with youth orchestras continued to stay with him. In 1997, George became a member of the Board of Directors for Orchestras Canada. He became the leader of youth orchestras across Canada and spearheaded the creation of a Canadian Youth Orchestra festival. His first order of business was to take charge of youth orchestras across Canada and start a Canadian youth orchestra festival. Exactly three decades after his first trip to Aberdeen for the inaugural IFYO, Dr. George led the Canadian Youth Orchestra to the same festival and was a red-carpet guest in 2003.

He retired from the Orchestra in 2019.

Here are some of Dr. George’s career highlights as a musician:

  • Dr. George is a “Fellow and Benefactor” of the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera in New York.
  • Dr. George received an “Award of Appreciation” for 10 years of dedicated and valuable contribution to the Timmins Symphony Orchestra in 2005
  • Betty Webster Award – 2005. The Award is given out by Orchestras Canada and specifically honours an individual who has made an under-recognized but sustained and significant contribution to the community of Canadian orchestras through their work, be it paid or volunteer.
  • Participates at “Orchestras Canada National/International Conference” in Montreal and receives Award of Appreciation – 2000
  • Award of Appreciation for 5 years of dedicated and valuable contribution to Timmins Symphony Orchestra – 1999
  • Participates at Orchestras Canada National Conference in Edmonton and receives Award of Appreciation – 1998

Articles:

From Aberdeen to Aberdeen: A Musical Life Comes Full Circle

In a lifetime filled with music and medicine, I have made many memories, but my experiences in Aberdeen, Scotland, remain among the most important.