became popular during this period, particularly works that depicted battle. Johnson arranged Frantisek Kotzwara's The Battle of Prague, impressing the audience with realistic effects. Johnson's New Railroad Gallop began with the sound of steam, continued with the sound of passengers entering the cars, then concluded with the sound of the train reaching full speed. (Southern 112) Musical style Unfortunately, only reviews from newspaper critics, audience members and programs survive to tell of the sounds produced by Johnson. During this period, it was common to not write a complete score, since works were in such demand that this time-consuming task was best left as notes; the performers could more easily be taught to produce the desired sound. Arrangements were commonly published for amateurs in order to increase the demand for the original band or orchestra. Only surviving today are the piano arrangements requested by publishers, along with skeleton guides of Johnson's other arrangements. Johnson's elaborate and extended effects were apparently more important than his straightforward compositions. Foreshadowing the jazz era, his actual music was simple, allowing the composer to instruct the performers in developing more musically complex versions. References Southern, Eileen. The Music of Black Americans: A History. W. W. Norton & Company; 3rd edition. Paul R. Betz, Mark Christopher Carnes, American Council of Learned Societies – American national biography: Supplement External links Master Musician, Performer, Composer Biography of Johnson from the Penn Library 1792 births 1844 deaths African-American musicians American male composers American composers Musicians from Philadelphia 19th-century American male musicians