John Galloway Painter, founder of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and a trailblazing visionary of Australian classical music, has died. He flourished so rapidly that within 3½ years his father and school headmaster found themselves lying about his school attendance so he could accept a position with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He never completed his studies at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium or the NSW State Conservatorium, instead becoming principal cellist of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra aged 18. A young John Painter with composer Igor Stravinsky. Credit:In his late 20s he became principal cellist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a demanding role requiring international touring and recording for ABC radio.