Australian Chamber Orchestra founder John Painter AM has died

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The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) has shared news of the death of John Painter AM, a cellist, music educator, and the founder of the ensemble. He was 92.

Painter was born in Adelaide in 1932, and studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music, the latter renamed the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1990. In 1950, at the age of 18, he became principal cellist of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra; in 1954 he joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, becoming its principal cellist in 1960, and played with the ensemble until 1966, when he formed the Sydney Quartet.

Painter established the ACO in 1975, performing in its first concert, and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981 for his services to music. He held many notable directorships, including at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music from 1982–1985, the Canberra School of Music from 1985–1995, and the Australian Institute of Music from 1997–2003. In 2002, Painter received the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, and from 2013–2014 he served as jury chair of the inaugural Australian Cello Awards.

ACO paid tribute to its founder in a post on social media:

‘John was a modest man, however his impact on the ACO, and the broader cultural community of this country, cannot be overstated… From all of us here, at your ACO, thank you, John. We will continue to do our very best to honour your legacy.’

The ACO’s artistic director Richard Tognetti likewise shared his memories of Painter:

‘My own love of being in a chamber orchestra was born out of my time in the Sydney Youth Chamber Orchestra. We were a group of recalcitrant children who met every Friday at the Sydney Conservatorium, where we were tamed by the quietly authoritative visionary cellist and conductor – Mr. John Galloway Painter…

‘John Painter was part of an era of trailblazers who defied norms to create new paths. He inspired me to be resilient, and imbued us with a well-placed and deserved sense of sarcasm and irony; using humour to express disdain or scepticism towards pomposity, self-hubris, or lax behaviour.

‘Mr. Painter never proclaimed his achievements, so this is our opportunity to declare the importance of his legacy in the history of Australia. While he might be somewhat horrified by the unconventional musical directions we’ve taken, he encouraged the free thinking that characterises the ACO and its audiences. For this, we thank you, Mr. Painter.’