Veteran Music Critic Andrew Clements Dies at 75 After Years of Championing New Sounds
Andrew Clements, the longtime chief classical music critic for The Guardian, has passed away at the age of 75 after a period of ill health. A stalwart champion of new and experimental music, Clements was revered for his incisive writing style, which combined authority with wit and humor.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements wrote extensively on a wide range of musical genres, from classical to rock and pop. He was known for his tireless devotion to championing emerging artists and his ability to capture the essence of a performance in vivid prose. His reviews were often characterized by their precision, insight, and – occasionally – a hint of gruffness.
Beyond music, Clements had eclectic interests that informed his writing. He was an avid naturalist, with a passion for birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which he documented through numerous articles and books. A keen gardener, he also drew inspiration from the natural world, often weaving elements of it into his reviews.
Clements' connection to The Guardian dates back to 1993, when he succeeded Edward Greenfield as chief classical music critic. His appointment was facilitated by a recommendation from renowned pianist Alfred Brendel. Over the years, Clements wrote for numerous publications, including Opera magazine and Time Out, while also serving as commissioning editor for books on music at Faber & Faber.
Throughout his career, Clements demonstrated an unwavering commitment to showcasing lesser-known artists alongside established giants of the musical world. His love of English pastoralist composers from the early 20th century was particularly evident in his writing. A lifelong enthusiast of Greece and other countries with rich cultural heritage, Clements' travels took him to destinations such as Crete, South America, and Patagonia.
As a pianist himself, Clements held Radu Lupu's previously unpublished recordings in high esteem, stating that none had given him "consistent pleasure or a greater sense of wonder." In his final review for The Guardian, he lavished praise on the Dunedin Consort, capturing the essence of their performances with characteristic precision.
Clements' legacy will be remembered through his impressive body of work and the countless musicians he championed during his career. His dedication to music journalism, combined with his boundless curiosity and enthusiasm, left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
Andrew Clements, the longtime chief classical music critic for The Guardian, has passed away at the age of 75 after a period of ill health. A stalwart champion of new and experimental music, Clements was revered for his incisive writing style, which combined authority with wit and humor.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements wrote extensively on a wide range of musical genres, from classical to rock and pop. He was known for his tireless devotion to championing emerging artists and his ability to capture the essence of a performance in vivid prose. His reviews were often characterized by their precision, insight, and – occasionally – a hint of gruffness.
Beyond music, Clements had eclectic interests that informed his writing. He was an avid naturalist, with a passion for birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which he documented through numerous articles and books. A keen gardener, he also drew inspiration from the natural world, often weaving elements of it into his reviews.
Clements' connection to The Guardian dates back to 1993, when he succeeded Edward Greenfield as chief classical music critic. His appointment was facilitated by a recommendation from renowned pianist Alfred Brendel. Over the years, Clements wrote for numerous publications, including Opera magazine and Time Out, while also serving as commissioning editor for books on music at Faber & Faber.
Throughout his career, Clements demonstrated an unwavering commitment to showcasing lesser-known artists alongside established giants of the musical world. His love of English pastoralist composers from the early 20th century was particularly evident in his writing. A lifelong enthusiast of Greece and other countries with rich cultural heritage, Clements' travels took him to destinations such as Crete, South America, and Patagonia.
As a pianist himself, Clements held Radu Lupu's previously unpublished recordings in high esteem, stating that none had given him "consistent pleasure or a greater sense of wonder." In his final review for The Guardian, he lavished praise on the Dunedin Consort, capturing the essence of their performances with characteristic precision.
Clements' legacy will be remembered through his impressive body of work and the countless musicians he championed during his career. His dedication to music journalism, combined with his boundless curiosity and enthusiasm, left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
just heard about Andrew Clements passing away 
, such a legend in the music world! I mean, who else could make experimental music sound cool? 
He was like the ultimate introvert, but his writing was so engaging it felt like you were right there with him, critiquing the performance along with him 
. Love how he championed new sounds and lesser-known artists – true innovator! 
I'm gonna have to dig into his back catalog ASAP, gotta see what all the fuss is about 
. His passing leaves a void in the world of music, but also reminds us that legacy is not just about what we do, but how we live our lives with purpose and passion 
. let's take a page from his book and continue to seek out those hidden gems, to nurture and celebrate the artists who make music that moves us 
. and remember, it's never too late to explore new sounds and worlds, just like Andrew did in his final review – always keep your curiosity sharp 
just think about it... 75 years old is a pretty big age... maybe they wanted him outta the way? all these articles say he was championing new sounds but what if that's code for "we're gonna control the narrative"? 
and have you noticed how many connections he had with famous people in the music world? too convenient, if you ask me. I mean, who needs a recommendation from Alfred Brendel when you've got connections like that? 
I mean, who else could make you wanna listen to some crazy old classical stuff that's never been played before? 
He just made it sound cool and fun. His writing style was so unique, always witty and funny but also super informative. I loved how he could tell a story through music. I'm still thinking about one of his reviews for the Dunedin Consort... did you guys hear them too? 
! I mean who else could make Chopin's Nocturnes sound so beautiful? 
He had this way with words that just transported you to another world. I remember reading his reviews for the first time and thinking "this guy gets it". Like, he wasn't afraid to praise a lesser-known artist or give an honest opinion about a performance. It was always from a place of love, you know? 
His passion was infectious! I'm gonna miss reading his stuff online, but I guess that's just part of growing up 
. Anyway, let's celebrate the music and the memories he gave us with all the classical goodness 
- loved how he championed new sounds and lesser-known artists 
he was literally a legend in music world 
. What I liked most was that he didn't just stick to what's 'classical' - his love for English pastoralist composers shows you can have depth in your tastes 
. He seemed like someone who'd appreciate my favorite experimental jazz band 
. Rest in peace, Andrew Clements 
as much as I love classical music, I have to give props to his work outside of that – the man loved nature & was super passionate about it 
I'm gonna have to go back & re-read some of his reviews now, he's definitely going to be missed 
love how he shared his passion for nature in his writing too - who knew birds, reptiles & amphibians could be so fascinating? 
anyways, his legacy lives on through the music & articles he left behind 
His reviews were always so detailed and honest, it's like he'd be right there with you at the concert 
Not all that clickbait nonsense they serve up nowadays. He was the real deal, always championin' new sounds and emergin artists. I remember readin his stuff back in uni days and bein amazed by his insight and wit... the guy had a way with words 
. anyway, his passing leaves a huge void in our music scene, but his legacy lives on through all the amazing musicians he discovered and championed 
