Chwatal was born in Rumburg, Bohemia (in the modern Czech Republic).

He was the son of an organ builder, who gave him piano lessons as a child.

From 1822 to 1832 he worked as a music teacher in Merseburg, where he created his first compositions.

In the 1850s, he travelled with Christian Friedrich Ehrlich to the Institute für Gemeinschaftlichen Clavierunterricht (Institute for Community Piano Lessons).

However, these compositions have had a reputation as lighter, popular music.