Cornelius Cardew’s Scratch Orchestra was an ensemble of musicians with varying degrees of skill (and lack of skill), founded around a Marxist, anti-elite constitution. Anyone was welcome to participate, and performances included performances of traditional orchestra repertoire, improvisations, original composition, and performance art-style happenings. The group dissolved due to internal political divisions.

Artist Eve Essex is currently staging a “historical reenactment” of the Scratch Orchestra, using the original constitution of the group as a kind of score. I’m going to rehearsal tonight, and I’ll let you know what happens.

(via Eve Essex)