Editing Francis Johnson (composer) (section)

===Musical innovations===
The ''[[Philadelphia Public Ledger]]'' newspaper reported that Johnson introduced the [[extended technique]] of singing while playing,{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} which has become more common today as a way of providing wind instrumentalists a means of producing harmonies.  The use of flute [[obbligato]] to imitate the chirping of canaries in his "Bird Waltz" was "so natural that the keenest perception cannot discover the difference."{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} Composers [[Claude Debussy]] and [[Maurice Ravel]] may have been influenced by Johnson's techniques.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} The orchestral version of Ravel's "[[Ma Mère l'Oye]]" (Mother Goose) features a similar effect in the "[[Tom Thumb]]" movement, where flutes depict the chirping birds that steal the breadcrumb trail.

The work ''Philadelphia Fireman's Quadrille'' astounded audiences as Johnson's bugle was heard to "distinctly cry, 'Fire!' 'Fire!'"  Johnson became associated with such dramatic effects, and imitations by his contemporaries were said to be far less effective.  [[Program music]] 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)