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 201-225 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 419 7-in. ca. 1901-Oct. 1905 Hearts and flowers Artists vary Band composer  
Columbia 419 10-in. approximately 1901 Hearts and flowers Artists vary Band composer  
Columbia 950 7-in. ca. 1902 The boys before the mast march Columbia Band Band composer  
Columbia 950 10-in. ca. 1902 Boys before the mast march Columbia Band Band composer  
Columbia 1021 7-in. ca. 1902-Oct. 1905 Echoes from the Metropolitan Opera House Columbia Band Band arranger  
Columbia 1021 10-in. ca. 1902 Echoes from the Metropolitan Opera House Columbia Band Band arranger  
Columbia 1547A 14-in. ca. Dec. 1904 International lancers : Figures 1 and 2 Columbia Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 1547B 14-in. ca. Dec. 1904 International lancers : Figures 3 and 5 Columbia Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 1705 10-in. approximately 1903 Coconut dance Vess L. Ossman Banjo solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 1855 10-in. ca. Jan.-Oct. 1904 My college chum waltz Columbia Band Band composer  
Columbia 3505 10-in. between January and November 1906 Whistling minstrel Prince's Military Band Band composer  
Columbia 19799 10-in. 3/8/1912 America Prince's Band Band arranger  
Columbia 19800 10-in. 3/8/1912 America Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia 39327 10-in. 4/14/1914 Warbler's farewell Marshall P. Lufsky ; Charles Schuetze ; George Stehl Instrumental trio composer  
Columbia 45777 10-in. 6/15/1915 Hearts and flowers Frank Pollock Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 45977 10-in. 8/28/1915 Andante cantabile Prince's Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Columbia 46570 10-in. Mid-late Aug. 1915 Hearts and flowers Louis Solar and Sons ; Louis Solar Instrumental quartet composer  
Columbia 46667 10-in. 3/28/1916 Hearts and flowers Prince's Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 46767 10-in. 5/9/1916 Canzonetta Prince's Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Columbia 47223 10-in. 12/13/1916 Hearts and flowers Taylor Trio Instrumental trio composer  
Columbia 77423 10-in. 10/8/1917 Cocoanut dance Prince's Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 79356 10-in. 7/21/1920 Cocoanut dance Fred Van Eps Banjo solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 79900 10-in. 6/18/1921 At the mountain inn, op. 48 William Heinrich ; Charles Schuetze ; George Stehl Instrumental trio arranger  
Columbia 80747 10-in. 12/26/1922 Old favorites waltz medley Columbia Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 48789 12-in. 5/6/1916 The dying poet Prince's Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
(Results 201-225 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobani, Theodore Moses," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

Tobani, Theodore Moses. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

"Tobani, Theodore Moses." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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