Composer and pianist, born in Rome, Italy. A student of Liszt, he formed an orchestra in Rome, where he conducted performances of the works of Beethoven and Liszt, the first in Italy. In 1876 he helped to found the first public music school in Rome. His compositions include two symphonies, a requiem Mass, chamber music, and piano music.
Giovanni Sgambati (May 28, 1841 - December 14, 1914), Italian composer, was born in Rome, of an Italian father and an English mother.
His early education took place at Trevi, in Umbria, and there he wrote some church music, and obtained experience as a singer and conductor. The influence and support of Liszt, who was in Rome from 1861, was naturally of the greatest advantage to him, and concerts were given in which Sgambati conducted as well as played the piano.
His composition, of this period (1864-1865) included a quartet, two piano quintets, an octet, and an overture. He conducted Liszt's Dante symphony in 1866, and made the acquaintance of Wagner's music for the first time at Munich, whither he travelled in Liszt's company. A Second Symphony which was left unpublished at his death has recently been recorded by Virtually Unknown
His most extensive work, a Requiem Mass, was performed in Rome 1901.
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
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