David Johnson (1942-2009) was an authority on classical Scottish music of the eighteenth century, who by his discoveries, editions and writings retrieved from obscurity a fascinating and distinctively Scottish repertoire of high musical quality, informed by continental fashions, as well as being of great social interest.

Johnson was born in Edinburgh into an artistically cultivated family, who mixed in Edinburgh's musical circles, where their friends included the composers Hans Gál, Robert Crawford, David Dorward and Owen Swindale. His compositional style is tonal, concise and quirky, often with a distinct Scottish flavour, and more than a hint of pop music. Many of his works were composed for his own instruments and others were inspired by well-known performers (several trumpet pieces were written for John Wallace, and his Twelve Preludes and Fugues for piano were written for Ronald Stevenson). There are no less than five operas, including the four-acter Thomas the Rhymer, based on the well-known border ballad collected by Sir Walter Scott. All his music is accessible to amateur and young performers. It is hoped that this recording, based in part on a privately recorded concert intended for his 70th birthday, designed by himself, and including music by several of his composer friends, but which sadly he did not live to see, will act as a reminder of his great talents as a composer.