A piano student of Liszt, Sgambati included in his recitals works by German composers hitherto neglected in Italy. In 1866 he formed an orchestra in Rome and conducted the first Italian performances of Beethoven's Eroica Symphony and Liszt's Dante Symphony. He also introduced Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, playing the solo part himself. In 1867 he helped to establish the Roman Society of the Quartet. He devoted his later years to teaching and in 1876 promoted the foundation of the first public music school in Rome. In addition to chamber music, songs, and piano pieces, Sgambati composed a Requiem Mass, two symphonies, and a piano concerto.