He also had a PhD in chemistry,[2] on which subject he has published numerous research papers, particularly on polyene photochemistry.
He continued to study conducting with Josef Blatt (1906–1999) at the University of Michigan while pursuing his chemistry degree.
Since 1983, he held the position of resident conductor of the Victoria International Festival, creating the Concerti Extravaganza series, for which he conducted more than 23 concertos in six weeks.
His extensive discography includes works by Elgar, Glière,[7] Grieg, Kodály, Lalo, Liszt, Mahler, Raff, Saint-Saëns,[8] Sibelius[9] and Richard Strauss.
[10] His recording of Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony featured in the classical charts and was a Gramophone Critics’ Choice.
[17] In Indiana, he studied piano with Sidney Foster,[18] a protégé of Isabelle Vengerova and David Saperton at the Curtis Institute.