A native of Haifeng, Guangdong, Ma was a famous Chinese composer and violinist.

He began to study instruments and got in touch with folk music when he was at a primary school in Guangzhou.

In 1923, at the age of 11, he went to France for the first time to study the violin there; in 1929 he returned to China after finishing his studies.

As one of China's first violinists, he gave concerts in Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou and other places.

In 1930 he went to France for the second time for the study of the theory of musical composition; the next year he returned to his motherland and began his career as a composer.

After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, he held the posts as president of China Central Conservatory of Music, vice-chairman of China Musicians Association and chief editor of the periodical Yinyue Chuangzuo (Creation of Music).

From late 1960's he lived in the United States.

His important works include Symphony No. 1, Symphony No. 2, orchestral suite "Song of the Mountain Forest", cantatas Democracy, Motherland", "Spring" and "The Huaihe River", violin pieces "Berceuse", "Rondo No. 1", "Inner Mongolia Suite", "Tibet Tone Poem", "Idyll", "Lantern Festival Celebration" and "Xinjiang Rhapsody", two compilations of "New Version of Folk-Songs" and many others.

During his residence in the United States, he made the ballet "Sunset Clouds" and opera "Rebia".