SKU: AI.AMC-WB-003SCO

11 x 17 inches.

The 1818 publication of Francis Johnson's A Collection of New Cotillions marks the first known publication of original music by a black composer in the United States. A prolific composer, instrumentalist, teacher and conductor, Johnson led a varied and successful career in an era in U.S. history that was not inviting to black professionals. His musical interests ranged from the contemporary works of Johann Strauss Jr. to traditional, popular dances.

The cotillion is a French country dance that was popular in Europe and America in the 18th century. It was originally danced by four couples in square formation and was an important influence in the development of the square dance in the United States. Francis Johnson composed two sets of six piano accompaniments for this dance. The original 1818 publication even included movement instructions for the eight dancers. The short and charming melodies that he composed are a fitting example of popular dance music of the time.

This transcription may be performed as a piano solo, with the piano as a non-solistic instrument within the ensemble or without piano at all. If it is to be a piano solo, the other instruments should not play the passages marked “opt. tacet (optional tacet). If the piano will not be treated soloistically, the conductor can have some or all of the “opt. tacet passages played at their discretion. When there is no piano involved in the performance ,all instrumentalists should ignore the “opt. tacet instruction and play everything.