He studied for short periods under Darius Milhaud and Otto Luening, and received his Master of Arts degree in music from Columbia University in 1948.
He wrote a total of two symphonies, five string quartets, six violin sonatas, and other works for piano, voice, and chorus.
This was inspired by Jaroslav Hašek's anti-war novel The Good Soldier Schweik, published in English translation in 1956.
The Good Soldier Schweik premiered at the New York City Opera on April 23, 1958.
Its music attracted critical comparisons to the compositions of Kurt Weill, especially for its satirical, ironic bent and incorporation of popular styles.