When I was 6 years old, I studied piano with my mother and got music enlightenment education. Recommended by the famous violinist O 'Bull, he studied at Leipzig Conservatory of Music from 1858 to 1862. After graduation, he gave his first concert in Bergen. 1863 to 1866 was active in Copenhagen, Denmark, and founded the Utopia Music Club with Norwegian folk music advocate musician R. Norak and others to create and introduce folk music in Scandinavian countries. After returning to China, he actively carried out music activities for the establishment of the Norwegian National Music School.
187 1 year, he founded the Kristiania (now the Norwegian capital) Music Association. He was the conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the "Harmony" Chorus of Bergen, and held many concerts in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and other countries.
1874 was awarded lifelong salary by the government, and 1890 was elected as an academician of the French Academy of Arts. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by Cambridge University and Niu Law School. When he died, the Norwegian government held a state funeral for him.