Gaal was born in Szkacsány, a village now known as Skačany in Slovakia. He studied composition with Erkel, Abryan and Nikolits in Budapest, graduating in 1882. From 1882 until his death he lived in Szabadka, a large city in Vojvodina, southern Hungary, now Subotica in Serbia. He played the piano, organised concerts with celebrated artists of the day, such as the Hubay-Popper orchestra, and composed.
