When I began this site, one of the first posts I made was a review of Robert Freeman's book The Crisis of Classical Music in America. Freeman, now retired, had been director of the Eastman School of Music, the New England Conservatory, and College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas in Austin. He certainly had the knowledge to write that text, which was thoughtful, accurate, and needed.
His second book takes a different path. Entitled Woof! A Love Story of Dogs, Music, and Life, it's a memoir of the life he had with his wife Carol, and the many dogs they brought into their family over four decades. Over the course of their marriage, the Freemans had seventeen "tenured" dogs--dogs that were permanent parts of the family--as well as a number of other dogs that stayed with them for shorter periods. For me, one of the more enjoyable aspects of their story is the musical connections with the dogs, ranging from the names given to them to the various little songs they made up to apply to the pets--all of them based on classical melodies with words relevant to each dog's personality and character.
Both humorous and touching, this book illuminates the personal life of a talented musician and administrator, and is sure to warm the heart of anyone who loves both dogs and music.
On a sad note, Freeman's wife Carol passed away in July of 2018. To our knowledge, Robert is still cared for by one (or more) loving canine.
His second book takes a different path. Entitled Woof! A Love Story of Dogs, Music, and Life, it's a memoir of the life he had with his wife Carol, and the many dogs they brought into their family over four decades. Over the course of their marriage, the Freemans had seventeen "tenured" dogs--dogs that were permanent parts of the family--as well as a number of other dogs that stayed with them for shorter periods. For me, one of the more enjoyable aspects of their story is the musical connections with the dogs, ranging from the names given to them to the various little songs they made up to apply to the pets--all of them based on classical melodies with words relevant to each dog's personality and character.
Both humorous and touching, this book illuminates the personal life of a talented musician and administrator, and is sure to warm the heart of anyone who loves both dogs and music.
On a sad note, Freeman's wife Carol passed away in July of 2018. To our knowledge, Robert is still cared for by one (or more) loving canine.
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