He was a prolific and versatile American composer, pianist, and conductor.
In 1933, he began studying piano with Lazare Levy in Paris. In 1937, he went to the US, where he studied composition with Paul Hindemith at Yale University and conducting with Serge Koussevitzky.
He taught composition and conducting at UCLA from 1953 to 1962. He also taught at Boston University and Tanglewood.
His early compositions use the 12-tone technique pioneered by Arnold Schoenberg, but his later works reflect a mix of styles.