Cornelius Cardew (b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, May 7, 1936; d. London, December 13, 1981) was an English avant-garde composer, and founder (with Howard Skempton and Michael Parsons) of the Scratch Orchestra, an experimental performing ensemble. His musical career thus began as a chorister. From 1953-57, Cardew studied piano, cello, and composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1957, he performed in the British premiere of Pierre Boulez's Le Marteau sans maître (having learnt to play the guitar for the occasion as no professional guitar player was available).

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