He initially studied at the Milan Conservatory, then at the Salzburg Mozarteum, where he became assistant conductor under Bernhard Paumgartner in 1952.
He initially worked on critical editions for I Musici, but took a position with Philips in the late 1950s as a record producer.
He became a prolific producer for Philips's classical music department and recorded copiously for them as conductor of the Berlin Chamber Orchestra and the Dresden Staatskapelle.
Freed ends with relating the recording to a quote by Austrian pianist Artur Schnabel: "They are a safe supply of happiness".
His significant studies and publishing of critical editions, especially in the Baroque repertoire, led to him gaining a large reputation.