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 251-268 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Edison 1267 10-in. 9/1/1912 Hearts and flowers American Symphony Orchestra String orchestra composer  
Edison 2048 10-in. 12/13/1912 Angel's dream waltz National Promenade Band Band composer  
Edison 2338 10-in. 6/18/1913 Venetia American Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Edison 2503 10-in. 10/17/1913 La bella Creole New York Military Band Band composer  
Edison 2540 10-in. 11/6/1913 A night's frolic Sodero's Band Band composer  
Edison 2609 10-in. 12/4/1913 Hungarian fantasia Edison Concert Band Band composer  
Edison 2642 10-in. 12/18/1913 Hearts and flowers American Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Edison 2773 10-in. Jan. 1914 Hearts and flowers Orchestra (unidentified; Edison Records) Orchestra composer  
Edison 4482 10-in. 2/8/1916 Hearts and flowers American Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Edison 5085 10-in. 10/24/1916 University lancers Jaudas' Society Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 5086 10-in. 10/24/1916 University lancers Jaudas' Society Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 5087 10-in. 10/24/1916 University lancers Jaudas' Society Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 8375 10-in. 3/8/1922 Hearts and flowers Walter Chapman Piano solo composer  
Edison 8691 10-in. 12/13/1922 Cocoanut dance Fred Van Eps Banjo solo composer  
Edison 10004 10-in. 12/19/1923 Prelude du deluge Haydn Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Edison 10664 10-in. 11/5/1925 Days of hearts and flowers Charles Hart ; Hotel Carlton Terrace Orchestra ; Mike Speciale Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 18806 10-in. 10/15/1928 Melody in F : Paraphrase Edison Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Edison N-503 12-in. 10/15/1928 Melody in F : Paraphrase Edison Concert Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
(Results 251-268 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobani, Theodore Moses," accessed May 4, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

Tobani, Theodore Moses. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102246.

"Tobani, Theodore Moses." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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