Classical Music World Mourns Loss of Beloved Critic Andrew Clements at 75
The classical music community has lost one of its most respected voices when Andrew Clements, long-serving critic for The Guardian, passed away on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness. For over three decades, Clements was the paper's chief music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
Clements' unique ability to articulate his thoughts and opinions on contemporary music earned him widespread respect among critics and musicians alike. His writing style was distinctive, conveying not only a deep knowledge but also a genuine passion for the subject matter. The value of his five-star reviews was immeasurable, with many considering them the gold standard in classical music criticism.
A key factor in Clements' success was his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and take risks in his writing. This trait allowed him to champion underappreciated composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage, ensuring their work received serious consideration from both critics and musical organizations.
Another area where Clements excelled was solo piano music, a subject dear to his heart. In one of his final pieces, he praised the late Romanian pianist Radu Lupu for his unwavering excellence, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of classical music.
While Clements' gruff exterior hid a kind and warm nature, he was always generous with his colleagues, quick to offer praise, patient with questions, and penetrating in his insights. His love for birds, butterflies, and orchids also offered a glimpse into his more lighthearted side, with many recalling the importance of accuracy in opera design.
The Guardian's editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, described Clements as "writing about classical music with the utmost passion and precision," praising his discerning ear and joy to read. As news of his passing spreads, the classical music world mourns the loss of a towering figure who will be deeply missed by those who knew him and followed his writing over the years.
The classical music community has lost one of its most respected voices when Andrew Clements, long-serving critic for The Guardian, passed away on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness. For over three decades, Clements was the paper's chief music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
Clements' unique ability to articulate his thoughts and opinions on contemporary music earned him widespread respect among critics and musicians alike. His writing style was distinctive, conveying not only a deep knowledge but also a genuine passion for the subject matter. The value of his five-star reviews was immeasurable, with many considering them the gold standard in classical music criticism.
A key factor in Clements' success was his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and take risks in his writing. This trait allowed him to champion underappreciated composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage, ensuring their work received serious consideration from both critics and musical organizations.
Another area where Clements excelled was solo piano music, a subject dear to his heart. In one of his final pieces, he praised the late Romanian pianist Radu Lupu for his unwavering excellence, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of classical music.
While Clements' gruff exterior hid a kind and warm nature, he was always generous with his colleagues, quick to offer praise, patient with questions, and penetrating in his insights. His love for birds, butterflies, and orchids also offered a glimpse into his more lighthearted side, with many recalling the importance of accuracy in opera design.
The Guardian's editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, described Clements as "writing about classical music with the utmost passion and precision," praising his discerning ear and joy to read. As news of his passing spreads, the classical music world mourns the loss of a towering figure who will be deeply missed by those who knew him and followed his writing over the years.
I'm so sad to hear about Andrew Clements' passing 
. 75 is still pretty young for us, you know? 
He left such a huge mark on classical music & it's wild that he got to champion those underappreciated composers who need the love 
. Harrison Birtwistle is one of my faves too! 
I loved how he wasn't afraid to take risks in his writing - that's what makes life interesting, right? 
Can't believe he's gone & we won't get to read more of his thoughts on music... it's a shame 
. But we can keep celebrating the classical music world & all the amazing people like Andrew who made it so special 
.
? I mean, I know he's 75 and all that jazz, but still... he was like the ultimate authority on classical music. I had a few chats with some of his colleagues from The Guardian, and they're all saying how much they're going to miss him - he was always so humble about it too 
. But what really gets me is that guy could tackle any topic and make it sound so interesting. I mean, who else can make solo piano music sound cool? 
His writing style was so distinct, you knew it was him as soon as you saw it. It's a shame he won't be around to give us his two cents on the new compositions coming out... what a loss! 
. He also knew how to balance being tough with kindness, which is not an easy thing to do 
. I remember feeling like I could always trust his opinion, even when we disagreed 
. I'll definitely miss reading his thoughts on classical music... it's just not the same without him 
anyway, what really gets me is how much impact he had on underappreciated composers. didnt they deserve the love too? and btw, cant wait to see how his style will influence others now that hes gone... maybe we'll get more of those 5-star reviews 
He was like a force of nature, always pushing boundaries and championing underdog composers... I mean, who else gets to say they helped put Harrison Birtwistle on the map? The guy was a true original, and his writing style is still unmatched – all that depth and emotion, it's like he had a direct line to the composer's soul 
. And don't even get me started on his obsession with solo piano music, sounds like he was just a one-trick pony 
. Plus, those birds and butterflies might've been cool, but have you seen the state of classical music festivals lately? They're all about flashy designs and who can wear the most extravagant outfit, not about the actual music 
.
what a loss to the classical music world rest in peace Andrew Clements
I was listenin to Chopin nocturnes in class 2 days ago & suddenly i was thinkin about Andrew Clements 
. i mean, 75 is old for someone still rippin up the music scene but hey what do i know right? anyways, cant say ill miss Andrew's gruff exterior (he could be super annoying at times lol) but his passion for classical music was real and that's all that matters. the fact he championed some of those underrated composers is huge, we need more people like that around. RIP Andrew, your 5-star reviews will live on 
i'm sure we'll be reading his insightful reviews for years to come 
. Always liked his writing style, unique way of articulating thoughts on contemporary music. But sometimes felt like he was a bit too harsh, gave 5-star reviews easily? didn't always agree with him. Guess that's what makes life interesting, right? Anyway, it's sad to see him go 
... those orchids and birds were quite the side note, but also kinda cool 
. He had this way of breaking down complex pieces into something super accessible, and at the same time, he still managed to convey the depth and emotion behind them. I mean, who else could make you feel all these different emotions just by writing about music? 
His willingness to take risks in his writing was inspiring, and it's a big part of why we have so many amazing new composers and musicians today 
but what i really wanna say is how much he loved classical music & sharing that love with everyone - it's a huge loss for the community 
also loved how humble he was behind the scenes, always willing to help & answer questions 
anyway, rest in peace Andrew Clements, ur music will live on 