Born at Onega, in Novgorod, he studied at the St Petersburg and Moscow conservatoires. He then embarked on a career in Russia as a composer, pianist and conductor. After the 1917 Communist Revolution he became an exile from his own country.

His dramatically emotional music has a strong melodic basis and includes operas, for example Aleko (1893), Il cavaliere avaro (1906), and Francesca da Rimini (1906), three symphonies, four piano concertos, piano pieces, and songs.

Among his most familiar works are the Prelude in C Minor and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra.

He was one of the most distinguished pianists of the day, activity that enabled him to support his family but left less time for his work as a composer. For practical reasons he eventually based himself in the United States, while keeping a villa in Switzerland. He died in Beverly Hills in 1943.