Francis Johnson: Music Master of Early Philadelphia. is based on an exhibit that was on display in the Eugene Ormandy Gallery, 4th floor, Van Pelt Library, from fall 2007 through fall 2009.

Francis ("Frank") Johnson (1792-1844) was a Philadelphia musician, bandleader, and composer. Little is known of his musical training, but by his mid-twenties he had become an accomplished violinist and cornetist and led a dance band that was a favorite among the elite of Philadelphia. His talents eventually were renowned far beyond his hometown through tours of England and the American Midwest during the late 1830s and early 1840s.

Johnson was also an African American, and although a free man, he lived in pre-Civil War America, a time when--even in free states--societal racism imposed limits on the activities of African Americans. His accomplishments were ambitious and remarkable given the overt and sometimes hostile racism he faced, particularly when touring outside Philadelphia in areas where he was not known.

Johnson's music survives today in piano arrangements published during his lifetime, and the exhibit offers reproductions of some of this music, acquired in 2007 from the estate of the late Kurt Stein. To allow the viewer of the web exhibit to experience the sound of these piano arrangements, we have included sound files of performances by pianist Tim Ribchester.

For more information:
Richard Griscom