He begun studying music at the Suceava and Cernauti, then he continued studying at the Konservatorium fur Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, with Anton Bruckner and Franz Krenn.
He was one of the most famous composers of the time. Among his most popular works are the pieces "Crai nou" (New king) and "Balada for violin and piano". In addition, he composed the music to the Albanian anthem, "Hymni i Flamurit". He was imprisoned on the account of political activities, during which he wrote his greatest pieces.
He died at the age of 29 in Stupca, now renamed in honour of him Ciprian Porumbescu.