Hugo Riesenfeld's musical career began at the age of seven with a violin study at the Conservatory of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, where he graduated at the age of 17 in piano, violin and composition degrees.
Succeeding Samuel Lionel Rothafel-later known as "Roxy" Rothafel-as conductor of the Broadway theaters the Rivoli, the Rialto, and the Criterion, he conducted from 1917 to 1925, introducing the practice of long-run resident film musicians.