Chicago Sinfonietta: Honoring Maestro Paul Freeman 1936-2015

Chicago Sinfonietta:

It is with profound sadness that we announce our beloved Founder and Music Director, Maestro Paul Freeman has passed away. Paul had been fighting a number of physical challenges over the last few years but according to his wife Cornelia and his son Douglas, both of whom were with him, he felt no pain and was at peace. He was 79-years old. The family is planning a private ceremony in Victoria, BC and a public memorial service here in Chicago sometime in September.

There will be much written about Paul’s life and legacy in the days to come. His story has been told before, and his impact was, and continues to be felt by so many who knew him and were inspired by his life. Many of us had the privilege of knowing Paul personally and we too have our stories that will be shared for as long as we are alive. We encourage you to share those stories knowing that they will continue to inspire all of us to help others, to make or enjoy profoundly beautiful music, and in our own small ways, to make our world a better place for everyone.

Whether you knew him or not, all of us have been brought together and are forever united as members of the Chicago Sinfonietta family because of Paul’s profound legacy.

Thank you, Maestro.

Copyright © 2015 Chicago Sinfonietta, All rights reserved.

Comment by email:
I was fortunate to meet Maestro Paul Freeman after he conducted a touring orchestra at Marsee Auditorium on the campus of El Camino College in Los Angeles, Ca and had several subsequent telephone conversation with him but not in recent years. His contributions to classical music are immeasurable but not fully appreciated by media and mainstream classical institutions and audiences. RIP  [John Malveaux]