From 1925 to 1930, he studied at the Paris Conservatory under Samuel Rousseau (music theory), Noel Gallon (counterpoint), Philippe Gaubert (orchestration and composition), and Paul Dukas (composition).

He was awarded the Prix de Rome for the cantata Actaeon in 1930.

He was artistic director at Paris-Mondial from 1937 to 1944, and professor at the Paris Conservatory from 1944 to 1977.

His works, heavily indebted to the impressionism of Ravel and Dukas, include many film scores.

His pupils included Olivier Alain, Garbis Aprikian, Raynald Arseneault, Jocelyne Binet, Jacques Castérède, Pierre Cochereau, Marius Constant, Ginette Keller, Talivaldis Kenins, Yüksel Koptagel, Ron Nelson, Makoto Shinohara, and Williametta Spencer.