He left Czechoslovakia in October 1949 with his future wife Sylva, following the communist takeover in February 1948. He continued his studies in England, graduating from the Royal College of Music. From 1962 he worked for BBC Radio, and from 1980 to 1990 he was director of the Czechoslovak section.

He was actively involved in the activities of the Antonín Dvořák Society and was instrumental in bringing Czech vocal works and operas in the original Czech language to London theatres. He devoted himself to the composition of modern classical music, especially chamber music, often for unusual combinations of instruments. He also wrote symphonies and choral works.

You can read an interview with Karel Janovický in our CZEXPATS Interviews project here.