Trailblazing Musician and Order of Australia Medal Recipient Dies

Trailblazing Aussie musician John Painter, who founded the Australian Chamber Orchestra and helped shape the nation’s classical music scene, has died aged 92.

The revered cellist passed away in Canberra on Saturday, September 13, marking the end of a towering career that spanned more than seven decades.

Born in Adelaide in 1932, Painter initially trained as a pianist before discovering his true musical calling in the cello.

He later studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the NSW State Conservatorium.

Painter quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Principal Cellist of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra in 1950 at just 18.

By 1952 he had joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, later serving as its Principal Cellist, before going on to establish the Sydney String Quartet in 1966.

Trailblazing Aussie musician John Painter, who founded the Australian Chamber Orchestra and helped shape the nation’s classical music scene, has died aged 92

But it was in 1975 that Painter cemented his legacy, founding the Australian Chamber Orchestra with a vision of creating a small, world-class ensemble.

Its debut performance at the Sydney Opera House that November featured 12 young performers.

Painter himself played with the ACO for a decade, overseeing its rapid growth into a cultural institution with an international reputation.

Tributes have flowed from across the arts world, with the ACO describing Painter as ‘a modest man’ whose impact ‘cannot be overstated’. 

Artistic Director Richard Tognetti remembered Painter as ‘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,’ Tognetti said. 

‘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.’

Beyond his work with the orchestra, Painter was a respected educator and administrator. 

The revered cellist passed away in Canberra on Saturday, September 13, marking the end of a towering career that spanned more than seven decades

Painter quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Principal Cellist of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra in 1950 at just 18

He also served as Director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the Canberra School of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music.

Painter later held senior roles with Musica Viva, the Australia Council for the Arts and the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

In recognition of his many contributions to the music world, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981. 

In 2001, he received the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, for his services to Australian music.

Friends and colleagues remember not only his musical insight and leadership, but also his trademark humour and warmth.

He is survived by his long-term partner Renée Goossens and two sons from a previous marriage.