Beck studied in Zurich, Berlin and Paris. He lived in Paris for nine years, during which time he associated with Honegger and Roussel. Although he did not actually study with these composers, he was greatly influenced by them. This influence can be seen in his move from a late Romantic compositional style to one of neo-Baroque. He developed into a style that was free of tonality, resulting in in such works as =Oratorium= (1933-34). His later works were simpler in texture and made use of refined folksong motifs.