He studied at the Bratislava Conservatory between 1941 and 1948 with Anna Kafendová [sk] (piano), Józef Weber (organ) and Eugen Suchoň (composition).
Afterwards he studied composition with Ferenc Farkas at the Budapest Music Academy, and in Salzburg in 1949.
His works, in the post-romantic style, are overall expressionistic and occasionally incorporate Slovakian folk music.
Ján Zimmer composed more than 120 works, including especially two operas (1963 and 1977), twelve symphonies (from 1955 to 1985), seven piano concertos (from 1949 to 1985), many other concertos for various instruments, chamber music, songs, choral works (including a Magnificat, 1951), and numerous pieces for piano solo.
The following lists show all his compositions in the genres opera, symphony, and works for piano and orchestra.