Douglas Johnson: Turtlesong for solo double bass

About the Composition

This short, lyrical work is ideal for ceremonial events such as weddings and funerals, and is a suitable recital piece or encore. There is much room for interpretation, as no fingerings are indicated and bowings and ornaments are merely suggestions. Accordingly, the performer can adapt the piece for each event and performance space.

About the Composer

Douglas Johnson started playing double bass in middle school and earned a music degree from Northwestern University. He served as Associate Principal Bass with the Honolulu Symphony for one season before returning to Chicago, where he has lived ever since. Doug has performed with the bass sections of three “Big Five” American orchestras, and playing Bach continuo is one of his favorite activities.

Doug has written music for dance, is the bandleader of the “free rock” improvisational group, Gunnelpumpers, and is a member of The Growlers bass ensemble. His composition, "The Open Sea" for bass quartet, was published in July, 2020 by Recital Music, and he collaborated on Earth Within, an award-winning 2022 Soundings of the Planet (https://soundings.com) release, as well as their 2023 release Sacred Canyons. In 2023, he composed "Aurochs" for string quartet filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory for the PBS show "Songs About Buildings and Moods", which can be streamed on PBS.org.

When not making music, Doug leads an IT development group at Argonne National Laboratory.