As a young composer and pianist he was well regarded in Prague musical circles, and had the approval of Liszt, Proksch and others, but the public's lack of acknowledgement was a principal factor behind his self-imposed exile in Sweden.
Som ung komponist og pianist var han velanskrevet i Prags musikalske kredse, og han var godkendt af Liszt, Proksch og andre, men offentlighedens manglende anerkendelse var en vigtig grund til hans selvpålagte eksil i Sverige.