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 176-200 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-22519 10-in. 1/8/1919 The voice of love Clement Barone ; Emil Keneke Cornet and flute duet, with orchestra arranger  
Victor B-22526 10-in. 1/14/1919 Titl's serenade Clement Barone ; Emil Keneke Flute and cornet duet, with orchestra arranger  
Victor B-22560 10-in. 1/28/1919 The voice of love Clement Barone ; Rosario Bourdon Flute and cello duet, with orchestra arranger  
Victor B-23987 10-in. 5/5/1920 Hearts and flowers Alma Gluck ; Efrem Zimbalist Soprano vocal solo, with violin obbligato and orchestra composer  
Victor C-26981 12-in. 10/20/1922 University lancers (on college songs) International Novelty Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor C-26982 12-in. 10/20/1922 Nursery rhymes lancers International Novelty Orchestra Instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor C-27375 12-in. 1/4/1923 University lancers International Novelty Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor C-27376 12-in. 1/4/1923 University lancers International Novelty Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor C-29254 12-in. 1/7/1924 Hearts and flowers Erica Morini Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor C-32027 12-in. 2/27/1925 Un ballo in maschera Goldman Band ; Edwin Franko Goldman Band arranger  
Victor BVE-33361 10-in. 9/2/1925 Days of hearts and flowers Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with piano duet composer  
Victor BVE-33795 10-in. 11/20/1925 La paloma Arthur Pryor's Band Band arranger  
Victor CVE-42988 12-in. 9/25/1928 Extase Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-51169 10-in. 4/16/1929 Bolero, original no. 5 Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-51183 10-in. 4/17/1929 La feria Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-51916 10-in. 4/24/1929 Chanson triste Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-51923 10-in. 4/24/1929 La media noche Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-51984 10-in. 5/9/1929 Mazurka Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-53406 10-in. 5/14/1929 La cinquantaine Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-53413 10-in. 5/15/1929 Good-bye Motion Picture Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BVE-59498 10-in. 5/1/1930 Waltz : Puppenfee pa-pa ma-ma Bruno Reibold ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor C-[Unnumbered 1918-03-15-02] 12-in. 3/15/1918 Entr'acte et valse Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor CVE-[Unnumbered 1926-03-05-01] 12-in. 3/5/1926 Echoes from the Metropolitan Opera House Lewis White Pipe organ solo arranger  
Columbia 207 7-in. ca. 1901-Sept. 1902 Hearts and flowers Artists vary Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 207 10-in. ca. 1901 Hearts and flowers Artists vary Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
(Results 176-200 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobani, Theodore Moses," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

Tobani, Theodore Moses. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

"Tobani, Theodore Moses." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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