Remembering Frank Mannheimer





Uncle Tobs and Frank Mannheimer relaxing at the English seaside in 1934.

Soon after Frank Mannheimer arrived in London for lessons with Mr. Matthay, he was asked to join the faculty of the Tobias Matthay Pianoforte School, an honor Uncle Tobs very rarely granted to Americans. Tobs was impressed with his analytical understanding of the problems of artistry and with his matchless ability to inspire students. Mr. Mannheimer soon became one of the leading teachers in London, and he grew especially close to Uncle Tobs and Aunt Jessie. When Tobs had surgery in 1934, Frank even moved into an adjoining room at High Marley, acting as a veritable twenty-four hour aide to the teacher he so revered. The photos on this page were among Mr. Mannheimer's most treasured personal effects.


Frank Mannheimer and Uncle Tobs



Uncle Tobs on the grounds at High Marley in the late 1920s.





Uncle Tobs had a type of "quality control" which he used for the teachers on the faculty of the Matthay School, and if your students could not survive a series of rigorous "practice concerts" he would not allow them to play on the annual Queen's Hall recitals each July. Shortly after he arrived in London, Mr. Mannheimer distinguished himself as the only American whose pupils were regularly featured at these events, as on this program which occurred on July 5, 1928. Click on the image to read the text.



Tobs and Jessie in the early 1930s




Both Frank and Uncle Tobs had a marvelous sense of fun, and neither of
them were above occasionally clowning for the camera.




Uncle Tobs sent Mr. Mannheimer this photo of himself having breakfast at Marley during the War.






A photo which Uncle Tobs sent to Mr. Mannheimer taken on August 31, 1942, the last day of the Summer School. Uncle Tobs is seated at the south entrance to Marley, surrounded by Irene Scharrer (left) and Myra Hess. Matthay originally sent it the following October, but War-time complications prevented it from going through and it was returned to him in February of 1943. He sent it to Mr. Mannheimer again on February 12, one week before his eighty-fifth birthday. Click on the image to read the text.

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