Austro-Hungarian violinist, composer, conductor, and teacher. From an early age, he studied with the Budapest violinist, Szervaczinsky. He debuted in 1839, performing with his teacher. In the same year, he moved to Vienna and studied under the Hellmesberger brothers and Joseph Böhm.

In 1843, he moved to Leipzig and was influenced by performing duets with Mendelssohn, among other activities. In the same year, he appeared in a Gewandhaus concert and became acquainted with Clara Schumann.

From 1850, he gained experience as concertmaster under Liszt in Weimar, and in 1851, he also began chamber music evenings. He also deepened his friendships with Schumann, Brahms.

In 1868, he was appointed director of a music school in Berlin, and thereafter, he dedicated himself to the school's duties, apart from annual winter concert tours. He died in Berlin in 1907.

His works include violin concertos, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, chamber music, and vocal works.