He finished his secondary studies at the upper school of Chernivtsi and simultaneously studied music under Sydir Vorobkevych. He began studies at the University of Chernivtsi, then moved to the Vienna Conservatory in 1875 and studied music history under Eduard Hanslick, music theory under Martin Gustav Nottebohm and Robert Fuchs. Beginning in 1879, he became a close and lifelong friend of Johannes Brahms and a prominent member of the 'Brahms circle' (who aided Brahms in teaching Gustav Jenner). Johannes Brahms supported the young composer and appointed him as curator of his estate.