Classical Music Critic Andrew Clements Dies Aged 75 After Ill Health Battle
Andrew Clements, a renowned classical music critic who championed new music for over three decades as the Guardian's chief classical music critic, has passed away at the age of 75. His dedication to his craft was marked by intellectual honesty and wit.
Clements' unique ability to put music into words earned him widespread respect among musicians and music enthusiasts alike. He had a keen ear for detail and could convey even the most nuanced performances with precision. Love or hate, Clements would tell you exactly what he thought – often with a dash of dry humour that belied his sharp intellect.
The breadth of his musical tastes was wider than many might have expected, spanning from lesser-known contemporary composers to English pastoralists of the mid-20th century. His passion for Latin American literature and natural history also found its way into his reviews, most notably in his appraisal of Peter Eötvös's opera Love and Other Demons at Glyndebourne.
Clements' remarkable career spanned multiple publications, including the New Statesman, Time Out, and the Financial Times. In 1993, he succeeded Edward Greenfield as Guardian chief classical music critic after being championed by renowned pianist Alfred Brendel. Throughout his tenure, Clements lent critical support to both established and emerging composers, never shying away from controversy.
Despite a wide range of interests outside music – including botany, bird-watching, and Latin American literature – it was the world of classical music that anchored him throughout his life. His dedication to regional coverage allowed him to cover some of the UK's most beloved music festivals, such as Cheltenham and Three Choirs.
Clements' last review appeared in March 2025, just weeks before he passed away due to illness. In a poignant final piece, he praised Nadia Boulanger's opera La Ville Morte, cementing his legacy as a devoted critic who always gave voice to the music that mattered most.
His love of music and writing has left behind two daughters, Lara and Holly, their mother Kate, and grandchildren – a testament to a life spent sharing passion and intellect with others.
Andrew Clements, a renowned classical music critic who championed new music for over three decades as the Guardian's chief classical music critic, has passed away at the age of 75. His dedication to his craft was marked by intellectual honesty and wit.
Clements' unique ability to put music into words earned him widespread respect among musicians and music enthusiasts alike. He had a keen ear for detail and could convey even the most nuanced performances with precision. Love or hate, Clements would tell you exactly what he thought – often with a dash of dry humour that belied his sharp intellect.
The breadth of his musical tastes was wider than many might have expected, spanning from lesser-known contemporary composers to English pastoralists of the mid-20th century. His passion for Latin American literature and natural history also found its way into his reviews, most notably in his appraisal of Peter Eötvös's opera Love and Other Demons at Glyndebourne.
Clements' remarkable career spanned multiple publications, including the New Statesman, Time Out, and the Financial Times. In 1993, he succeeded Edward Greenfield as Guardian chief classical music critic after being championed by renowned pianist Alfred Brendel. Throughout his tenure, Clements lent critical support to both established and emerging composers, never shying away from controversy.
Despite a wide range of interests outside music – including botany, bird-watching, and Latin American literature – it was the world of classical music that anchored him throughout his life. His dedication to regional coverage allowed him to cover some of the UK's most beloved music festivals, such as Cheltenham and Three Choirs.
Clements' last review appeared in March 2025, just weeks before he passed away due to illness. In a poignant final piece, he praised Nadia Boulanger's opera La Ville Morte, cementing his legacy as a devoted critic who always gave voice to the music that mattered most.
His love of music and writing has left behind two daughters, Lara and Holly, their mother Kate, and grandchildren – a testament to a life spent sharing passion and intellect with others.
clements was always so honest about his opinions i loved how he could be dry and funny at the same time lol he knew how to tell you exactly what he thought without being mean-spirited his legacy is definitely cemented he's gonna be missed in the music world 
I mean, another great music critic bites the dust... 75 is old for someone who's still rocking (pun intended) and writing about classical music all these years. Not gonna lie, his passing is kinda sad, but it's also a bit weird that he's getting more attention now than he did during his heyday as Guardian chief classical music critic... I guess that's just the way fame works 
. Anyway, can't deny the guy had talent for writing and understanding music - love or hate him, he always gave his honest opinion 
. Guess his legacy will live on through his daughters and grandkids 
... he was one of those reviewers who actually knew what they were talking about. I mean, you don't always agree with his opinions but at least you know someone's put thought into it. He had this way of describing music that just resonated, like you're right there in the concert hall. And the guy was a polymath too - botany, bird-watching... I'm not exactly sure how he fit it all in but respect for him. 
. And don't even get me started on how annoying his wit is – dry humour is just a fancy way of saying 'I'm being pretentious' 
. I guess what I'm trying to say is that classical music has lost a big part of its fanbase now, and I'm kinda okay with that 
Clements had some epic reviews back in the day 
can we just give it to us straight for once? love that he was a dry wit tho 
also, why does his musical taste span so many genres? is that really necessary? 
just me or do you think it's weird to include Latin American literature in a classical music obituary? 
. Love that he wasn't afraid to give it to the artists, even if they didn't agree with him 
he was defo one of the most iconic classical music crits eva! always speakin truth 2 power & keepin it real, even if u didnt agree w/ him lol his passion 4 music & literature was infectious, & i loved how he could sum up a perf in jus 1 sentence 
his legacy will live on thru his fam & all the composers he supported over the yrs... RIP andrew 
. The breadth of his tastes might've surprised people too, but it shows he wasn't just some snobby music elitist... more like a curious and knowledgeable guy who loved exploring different genres & styles. His legacy will live on through all those reviews and the many musicians/enthusiasts he inspired over the years 
. RIP Andrew Clements 
so sad to hear about Andrew Clements... he was like the ultimate music critic guy 
just read one of his last reviews and it still hits so hard 
anyway, rest in peace and thanks for all the music love he gave us over the years 
... always kept it real 
even if people didn't agree 
. Loved how he covered new music and hidden gems 
. His writing was like a breath of fresh air 
made me wanna learn more about classical music