In Switzerland he met Richard Wagner, the novelist Gottfried Keller, and was befriended by Mathilde Wesendonck. He also became friends with the composer Theodor Kirchner, an important member of the Schumann-Brahms circle, and created an orchestral cycle out of arrangements of some of Kirchner's piano pieces.
In Switzerland, he encountered Richard Wagner, the novelist Gottfried Keller, and formed friendships with Mathilde Wesendonck. He also developed a bond with composer Theodor Kirchner, who was a prominent member of the Schumann-Brahms circle, and composed an orchestral work using arrangements of some of Kirchner's piano pieces.