Born in Israel, Bergman took lessons in violin and singing early, but soon was interested in composing and conducting.

He studied conducting further with Charles Bruck, a student of Pierre Monteux, as well as privately with Leonard Bernstein.

Bergman guest-conducted with the Osaka Symphonica, a concert tour with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, and he served as principal guest-conductor of the North Atlantic Music Festival in Denmark shortly before his death.

Bergman conducted a series of successful symphonic concerts in Cairo in 1995 and 1996 as the first Israeli conductor to appear in an Arab republic.

He conducted world premieres of works by American composers including William Bolcom, Robert Starer, John Verrall and Gwyneth Walker, and by composers from around the world such as Tzvi Avni, Ofer Ben-Amots, Henryk Górecki, Giya Kancheli and Arvo Pärt.