Gardner, John (Linton) (1917– )

English composer. Chamber music of his was heard in London and Paris in the 1930s, but his first great success was the performance of the first symphony at the Cheltenham Festival of 1951.

Gardner was educated at Wellington and Oxford, became music master at Repton School in 1939, and after doing war service was appointed coach at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. He taught at Morley College, London, 1952–76.

Works Opera The Moon and Sixpence (after Somerset Maugham, 1957), Tobermory (1977).

Orchestral symphony (1951), Variations on a Waltz by Nielsen for orchestra (1952), piano concerto (1957), An English Ballad for orchestra (1969).

Choral Mass in C (1965), Cantata for Easter (1970).

Chamber string quartet (1939), oboe quintet; two piano sonatas.

Other Intermezzo for organ; songs.