Composed eight symphonies, twelve concertos, three cantatas, an oratorio and many choral works and chamber pieces.
He began studying piano when he was five and started composing at eight.
He attended the Lycee Champollion in Grenoble, France to study for a career in diplomacy, while continuing his piano studies. He returned to Latvia to study piano and composition at the State Conservatory in Riga.
He fled the Soviet occupation of Latvia, and resumed his studies in France. He paid his way through conservatory by accompanying singers and playing in dance bands and theatrical pit orchestras.
He and his wife moved to Canada in 1951. He became a Canadian citizen in 1956. He was organist and music director at St Andrews Latvian Lutheran Church in Toronto. He joined the music faculty of the University of Toronto in 1952.
He was known for bringing a central European feel to Canadian music at a time when it was heavily dominated by British sensibilities.