Renowned Classical Music Critic Andrew Clements Passes Away at 75
Andrew Clements, the respected voice behind The Guardian's classical music section, has left an indelible mark on the world of music criticism with his passing at the age of 75. A man whose deep love and profound knowledge of contemporary music earned him a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in the field, Clements had been a stalwart presence in The Guardian's arts team for over three decades.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements was unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and express his own well-formed convictions. His courage to ruffle feathers and stand by his opinions was a hallmark of his writing, earning him the respect of his peers and the value of his five-star reviews. Despite ill health forcing him to step back from live events since March 2022, Clements' passion for music remained undiminished.
A lifelong enthusiast of contemporary music, Clements' fascination with Pierre Boulez's work at a young age had set him on a path that would lead to an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. His ability to recall almost every concert he attended spoke to his dedication and insight into the world of classical music. The championing of lesser-known composers like Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage was a testament to Clements' commitment to promoting innovative voices.
In addition to his work on classical music, Clements had a secret passion for solo piano music. His admiration for the late Romanian musician Radu Lupu was particularly evident in one of his final writings. Clements' love for birds, butterflies, and orchids was also well-documented, often finding its way into opera designs.
Beyond his professional persona, Clements was known for his kind and warm nature. He was a supportive colleague who offered generous praise, patience with questions, and piercing insights that left readers spellbound. His willingness to laugh at himself made him a beloved figure in the world of music criticism.
In a statement, Katharine Viner, The Guardian's editor-in-chief, described Clements' reviews as "illuminating" and "a joy to read." A legacy forged through his tireless passion and precision, Andrew Clements will be deeply missed by those who knew him. His contributions to the world of classical music criticism will continue to inspire future generations of music lovers and critics alike.
Andrew Clements, the respected voice behind The Guardian's classical music section, has left an indelible mark on the world of music criticism with his passing at the age of 75. A man whose deep love and profound knowledge of contemporary music earned him a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in the field, Clements had been a stalwart presence in The Guardian's arts team for over three decades.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements was unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and express his own well-formed convictions. His courage to ruffle feathers and stand by his opinions was a hallmark of his writing, earning him the respect of his peers and the value of his five-star reviews. Despite ill health forcing him to step back from live events since March 2022, Clements' passion for music remained undiminished.
A lifelong enthusiast of contemporary music, Clements' fascination with Pierre Boulez's work at a young age had set him on a path that would lead to an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. His ability to recall almost every concert he attended spoke to his dedication and insight into the world of classical music. The championing of lesser-known composers like Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage was a testament to Clements' commitment to promoting innovative voices.
In addition to his work on classical music, Clements had a secret passion for solo piano music. His admiration for the late Romanian musician Radu Lupu was particularly evident in one of his final writings. Clements' love for birds, butterflies, and orchids was also well-documented, often finding its way into opera designs.
Beyond his professional persona, Clements was known for his kind and warm nature. He was a supportive colleague who offered generous praise, patience with questions, and piercing insights that left readers spellbound. His willingness to laugh at himself made him a beloved figure in the world of music criticism.
In a statement, Katharine Viner, The Guardian's editor-in-chief, described Clements' reviews as "illuminating" and "a joy to read." A legacy forged through his tireless passion and precision, Andrew Clements will be deeply missed by those who knew him. His contributions to the world of classical music criticism will continue to inspire future generations of music lovers and critics alike.
...he was like a friend to many in the music world ...i remember his reviews being so detailed and full of life, like he'd draw a little diagram to explain some tricky bit of music (he loved visual aids! 
) anyway, his passion for music was infectious and he always managed to make you feel like you were right there with him at the concert...and who can forget his love of birds & butterflies? 
it's a shame we won't be getting his reviews anymore but i know they'll live on through all the people he inspired ...he may have been 75 but he was still going strong 
just heard about this... been a fan of his reviews for ages. feels like a piece of classic music journalism is lost forever 
RIP Andrew Clements 
, always speaking truth to power and sharing his love for new and innovative sounds with us! I remember reading his reviews on Boulez's work and being blown away by the depth of knowledge he shared 
. His passion is contagious, you can tell how much it meant to him when discussing music. And that's what makes his legacy so special - not just his critiques but also the kindness and warmth he brought to everything he did 
. He might be gone, but I'm sure we'll keep hearing about him for a long time 
.
then suddenly step back from live events 
you knew him as the guardian's classical music guy, but did u know he had a secret passion for solo piano music? 
he was all about discoverin new talent, like harrison birtwistle & hans abrahamsen... what a loss for us music lovers 
his love for music was truly infectious 
he had this way of making you want to explore new composers & artists which is something we could all learn from 
also loved how he didn't shy away from sharing his passion with others - so refreshing! 
his influence will be felt for years to come
. His secret passion for solo piano music is kinda cool 
. And yeah, he must've been super passionate about classical music to become an expert in the first place 
. I mean, 75 is nothing but the blues for anyone, let alone someone as passionate about music as Andrew Clements 
One thing that bugs me is that we're gonna miss him so much, but at least his legacy lives on through his writing 
. As a huge music lover myself, I always admired his passion & honesty in sharing his thoughts on music - even when it meant going against the crowd 
. His love for lesser-known composers is something that's really inspiring, and I loved how he could make even complex music seem accessible to everyone 
. I'm also loving all the behind-the-scenes stories about him being a kind & supportive colleague 