Revered China-born Australian musician, educator, and scholar. He was regarded as a significant figure in the country's musical culture.
He had perfect pitch from his childhood. He initially studied engineering at Cambridge University, but was unsuccessful. He then pursued his true passion, music.
He was the first Australian to be invited on a cultural exchange visit to the USSR.
He was born to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. His family fled China to escape the tyranny of Mao Zedong.
He undertook the writing of an opera series based on author Enid Blyton's stories.
