He also studied in Paris with André Hekking (cello), in Vienna with Felix Weingartner (conducting), and in Brussels with Eugène Ysaÿe (chamber music).
He made his first conducting appearance in Canada at the MF leading a performance of René Fauchois's play Beethoven which contained incidental music.
He eventually was appointed director of the group from 1960 to 1964, during which time he led the orchestra in the world premiere of André Prévost's Poème de l'infini.
He notably led five performances of Richard Wagner's Parsifal at the Palais du Commerce in April 1954, a work which had not been mounted in Canada since its national premiere in 1905.
He appeared as a guest conductor with the CBC Symphony Orchestra 10 times between 1954 and 1964, notably conducting the group in the world premieres of Claude Champagne's Altitude and Robert Turner's Opening Night in 1960.