Composer. He graduated from the Tallinn Conservatory in 1950 as a student of Heino Eller. Thereafter he continued his composition studies at the Moscow Conservatory with S. Bogatyrioff. In 1950 he became a Master of Arts.

Since 1954 to his death Garshnek worked at the Tallinn Conservatory, since 1986 as a professor. From 1968 to 1978 he was the head of the department of composition and musicology at the conservatory. His students have been Anti Marguste, Hans Hindpere, Raimond Lätte, Enn Vetemaa, Mati Kuulberg, René Eespere, Mare Põldmäe, Toomas Siitan and others.

Garshnek’s music is closely related to the folklore of his birthplace, Setumaa in the southern Estonia. Viis setu laulu [Five Setu Songs], a cycle for voice (1953) and Peipsi laulud [Peipsi Songs], a suite for chorus (1961) can be the representatives of his relation to Setu folk music. Specific national traits can also be found in Garshnek’s large scale works, The First Symphony (1953) and Piano Quintet (1955) among them. As a result of numerous expeditions to Setumaa organized for collecting folk music there are many Setu influences in the works of Garshnek’s students too.

Selected works:

* Vägev võlur [The Mighty Magician], opera for children (1968)

Symphonic music:
* 3 symphonies (1953, 1963, 1974)
* Sinfonietta for strings (1980)
* Concerto-Fantasy for piano, violoncello and orchestra (1984)

Vocal music with orchestra:
* Vürst Vjatko ja vanem Meelis [The Prince Vyatshko and Elder Meelis], oratoria (1954)
* Suur Oktoober [Great October], cantata (1957)
* Mahtra sõda [The Mahtra War] (1958), cantata
* Viis setu laulu [Five Setu Songs] for mezzo soprano and orchestra (1953)

Chamber music:
* Piano quintet (1955), Piano trio (1949)
* Kaheksa laulu Sergei Jessenini sõnadele [Eight Songs on the words by Sergei Yessenin] (1960)
* Viis laulu Aleksandr Bloki sõnadele [Five Songs on the words by Aleksandr Blok] (1970)
* Kaks romanssi Aleksandr Pukini sõnadele [Two Romaces on the words by Aleksandr Pushkin] (1980)