First compositions at the age of primary school and cellist in the dilettante orchestra "Polhymnia" under the leadership of Alexander Zemlinsky. From 1895 conductor of various singing societies in Vienna, from 1899 conductor of various choirs in Heiligenstadt. 1901 director of music at Ernst von Wolzogen's literary cabaret "Überbrettl" as well as teaching harmony at the Stern’sches Konservatorium in Berlin. 1904 founding member of the Vereinigung schaffender Tonkünstler.

From 1907 intensive preoccupation with painting, first participation in an exhibition in 1910. 1911 teacher of aesthetics and composition at the Stern’sches Konservatorium. Development of the dodecaphonic composition technique (twelve-tone technique). Simultaneous presentation of four of his works at the first exhibition of the "Blaue Reiter".

From 1925 leader the master class for composition and being a member of the senate of the Berliner Akademie der Künste. 1930 premier of the "Begleitmusik zu einer Lichtspielszene" at the Krolloper. 1933 emigration to the USA, teaching position and lecturer at various universities. 1936 professor at the University of California in Los Angeles. Despite illness continuation of lectures and private lessons in Chicago and Santa Barbara, among other places.