After studying composition with Eduard Marxsen, he toured with Remenyi and moved to Hamburg to direct a women's chorus. His interest in vocal music prompted him to write the narrative Magelone cycle, 
After studying composition with Eduard Marxsen, he toured with Remenyi and moved to Hamburg to direct a women's chorus. His interest in vocal music prompted him to write the narrative Magelone cycle, Schicksalslied, and the Liebeslieder Waltzes. It took him ten years to write a symphony in the manner of his idol, Beethoven. The composer of Tragic Overture, FTP name this friend of the Schumanns who also wrote German Requiem.
After studying composition with Eduard Marxsen, he toured with Remenyi and moved to Hamburg to direct a women's chorus.