 He went to grammar school in Daugavpils.During his law study (1840-1844) in Saint-Petersburg University Anton Gerke was his piano teacher; Johann Benjamin Gross became his cello and theory teacher.He composed a Concert-Ouverture for big orchestra (1842), influenced by Beethoven (the premiere was held in the hall of the University of December 28, 1842, conducted by Karl Schubert); around 1843 a mazurka, influenced by Chopin.