Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 15, 1898 in New York City, NY

Death

:

July 7, 1970 in Manhasset, NY

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

Charles Tobias was an American composer and lyricist who was born on August 15, 1898, in New York City. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Tobias showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. Tobias attended the City College of New York, where he studied music theory and composition. After college, he worked as a pianist and arranger for various bands and orchestras. In the 1920s, he began writing songs and lyrics for popular music. He collaborated with several other composers and lyricists, including Harry Akst, Al Sherman, and Murray Mencher. Tobias's early success came with the song "Don't Blame Me," which he co-wrote with Dorothy Fields in 1932. The song became a hit and was recorded by several popular singers, including Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. Tobias went on to write many other popular songs, including "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You," "Lonesome Road," and "Sweet and Lovely." In addition to his work in popular music, Tobias also composed classical music. He wrote several orchestral works, including a symphony and a piano concerto. His classical music was influenced by the Romantic composers of the 19th century, such as Tchaikovsky and Brahms. One of Tobias's most famous classical works is his "Piano Concerto in C Minor." The concerto was written in 1945 and premiered the following year with the New York Philharmonic. The piece is known for its lush melodies and virtuosic piano writing. It has been recorded by several pianists, including Earl Wild and John Ogdon. Tobias's other notable classical works include his "Symphony No. 1" and his "Suite for Orchestra." The symphony was written in 1940 and premiered with the New York Philharmonic. The piece is in three movements and is characterized by its sweeping melodies and dramatic orchestration. The "Suite for Orchestra" was written in 1947 and is a collection of five short pieces. The suite is notable for its use of folk melodies and rhythms. Despite his success in both popular and classical music, Tobias's career was not without controversy. In the 1950s, he was accused of being a communist sympathizer and was blacklisted by the entertainment industry. He was unable to find work for several years and was forced to sell his home to make ends meet. However, he was eventually able to clear his name and resume his career. Tobias continued to write music until his death in 1970. His legacy lives on through his many popular songs and his contributions to classical music. He was a versatile composer who was able to write in a variety of styles and genres. His music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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