Theodore Moses Tobani

Theodore Moses Tobani (2 May 1855 − 12 December 1933) was a composer of popular music. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and began studying violin when he was five years old. The family moved to the United States, where he attended the Rivington School in New York, but they returned to Europe when it became evident that Theodore was a musical prodigy. He was a concert violinist by the time he was 10. The family returned to the U.S. in 1870, and Theodore took positions as a violinist in several groups including Simpson's Theatre in Philadelphia, Wallack's Theatre, and several others.

His best known composition was "Hearts and Flowers", which he composed in half an hour in 1893, and which continued to sell more than 100,000 copies annually until the end of his life. He was so prolific that his publisher, Carl Fischer, insisted that he use multiple pseudonyms; Fischer was concerned that nobody would believe how much Tobani was composing. Another popular work was "Our Little Nestling", written in 1883 for Mrs. Lester Wallack, for which he was paid $35. He also composed "Around the Christmas Tree", subtitled "A Yule-Tide Potpourri", which was later arranged for band by Louis-Philippe Laurendeau

Tobani was also a real estate dealer and owned property in Queens. He died on 12 December 1933; seven children survived him, but his wife, Helen, had died some time earlier.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 2, 1855 (Hamburg), Died December 12, 1933 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1899 - 1930

Roles Represented in DAHR: arranger, composer

Notes: Pseudonyms include: Florence Reed, Andrew Herman/Hermann, and Theodore Moses.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 151-175 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-19349 12-in. 3/7/1917 Fifth symphony : Fourth movement : Finale (Allegro) Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-19353 12-in. 3/8/1917 Rustic wedding symphony Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-19354 12-in. 3/8/1917 Rustic wedding symphony Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-19818 10-in. 5/10/1917 Morning Victor Herbert's Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-19866 12-in. 5/17/1917 Romance Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor CVE-19866 12-in. 11/11/1926 Romance Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with harp arranger  
Victor B-19867 10-in. 5/17/1917 Chanson triste Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-19896 10-in. 5/25/1917 Bolero in D major, op. 12, no. 5 Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-19897 12-in. 5/25/1917 Spanish dance in G minor, op. 12, no. 2 Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-20006 12-in. 5/31/1917 Invitation to the dance Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20436 10-in. 7/23/1917 L'Arlesienne : Farandole no. 4 Victor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20467 10-in. 8/1/1917 Mazurka Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20468 10-in. 8/1/1917 Czárdás Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20470 10-in. 8/1/1917 Hearts and flowers Ferdinand Himmelreich Celeste solo composer  
Victor C-20640 12-in. 9/5/1917 Slavonic dance no. 2 in E minor Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20641 10-in. 9/5/1917 Variations on Callirhoe Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-20642 12-in. 9/5/1917 Marriage of Figaro : Overture Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-20643 12-in. 9/6/1917 Slavonic dance no. 1 in C major Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-20644 10-in. 9/6/1917 Persian march Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-20656 12-in. 9/11/1917 Malagueña Victor Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-21000 12-in. 10/24/1917 Lenore Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-21050 10-in. 11/3/1917 Babillage Victor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-21099 12-in. 11/21/1917 Invitation to the dance Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-21446 12-in. 2/13/1918 Entr'acte et valse Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor B-21642 10-in. 3/21/1918 April smiles waltz Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
(Results 151-175 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobani, Theodore Moses," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

Tobani, Theodore Moses. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

"Tobani, Theodore Moses." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246

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