Beloved Classical Music Critic Andrew Clements Passes Away at 75
The music world is mourning the loss of one of its most revered voices, Andrew Clements, who passed away on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness. For over three decades, Clements was the Guardian's long-serving classical music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements was renowned for his deep understanding and love of music, which shone through in every review he penned. His insightful writings not only captivated readers but also earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. The value of his five-star reviews is immeasurable, and his passing has left a gaping void in the world of classical music criticism.
Clements' love affair with contemporary music began at a young age when he encountered Pierre Boulez's work as a flautist still studying at school. This encounter sparked a lifelong passion for new and innovative sounds, which he shared through his writing. He was unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and champion composers who might have otherwise gone overlooked.
One of Clements' greatest loves was solo piano music, particularly that of Radu Lupu. His appreciation for this genre is evident in the glowing praise he offered to the late Romanian pianist, describing him as one who "has given me more consistent pleasure or a greater sense of wonder" than anyone he had heard in over 50 years.
Beyond his love of classical music, Clements was an avid naturalist, with a particular fondness for birds, butterflies, and orchids. His knowledge of these subjects often spilled into his writing, adding a delightful layer of depth to his reviews.
Despite his tough exterior, Clements was known to be kind, supportive, and generous with those around him. He took great pride in praising his colleagues and was always willing to offer words of encouragement. His ability to laugh at himself made him a beloved figure among his peers.
As Katharine Viner, the Guardian's editor-in-chief, so eloquently put it: "Andrew Clements wrote about classical music with the utmost passion and precision. His reviews for the Guardian drew on a lifetime of discerning listening and, as well as being illuminating, were always a joy to read."
The music world is mourning the loss of one of its most revered voices, Andrew Clements, who passed away on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness. For over three decades, Clements was the Guardian's long-serving classical music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements was renowned for his deep understanding and love of music, which shone through in every review he penned. His insightful writings not only captivated readers but also earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. The value of his five-star reviews is immeasurable, and his passing has left a gaping void in the world of classical music criticism.
Clements' love affair with contemporary music began at a young age when he encountered Pierre Boulez's work as a flautist still studying at school. This encounter sparked a lifelong passion for new and innovative sounds, which he shared through his writing. He was unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and champion composers who might have otherwise gone overlooked.
One of Clements' greatest loves was solo piano music, particularly that of Radu Lupu. His appreciation for this genre is evident in the glowing praise he offered to the late Romanian pianist, describing him as one who "has given me more consistent pleasure or a greater sense of wonder" than anyone he had heard in over 50 years.
Beyond his love of classical music, Clements was an avid naturalist, with a particular fondness for birds, butterflies, and orchids. His knowledge of these subjects often spilled into his writing, adding a delightful layer of depth to his reviews.
Despite his tough exterior, Clements was known to be kind, supportive, and generous with those around him. He took great pride in praising his colleagues and was always willing to offer words of encouragement. His ability to laugh at himself made him a beloved figure among his peers.
As Katharine Viner, the Guardian's editor-in-chief, so eloquently put it: "Andrew Clements wrote about classical music with the utmost passion and precision. His reviews for the Guardian drew on a lifetime of discerning listening and, as well as being illuminating, were always a joy to read."
just heard the news about Andrew Clements... what a legend in the world of classical music! 
I used to love reading his reviews on The Guardian - he had this way of making me appreciate music that I hadn't listened to before. 
His passion was so infectious, and I loved how he wasn't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. Plus, can you believe someone who's been in the game for over 3 decades is gone? It's like a chapter in a book has closed 
he was one of those critics who actually understood what they were writing about, you know? always so insightful and fair, never afraid to give credit where it's due 
and his love for solo piano music is infectious 
always rooting for others in the music world. so much to miss about this guy 
... 75 is old but Andrew's legacy lives on 
still gives me chills. and his love for natural history is so underrated 
. it's like he was this super cool, intelligent guy with a wicked sense of humor 
. I wish we had more critics like him around today who'd challenge the status quo and introduce people to new sounds. anyway, RIP Andrew, your music will live on in our hearts 
He was like a legend in the classical music world, you know? His writing was so insightful and engaging, it's crazy how much of an impact he had on people's lives. I mean, can you imagine not having his five-star reviews to guide you through the world of classical music? 
It's like losing a part of your musical DNA.
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. But hey, Andrew Clements was definitely doing his part to spread the love 
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his writing wasn't just about criticizing music, it was like he was sharing a part of himself with you... anyway, this feels like the end of an era, we're losing these old-school voices who knew how to speak to people on a deeper level 
he sounds like such a lovely person... loved his writing style, so clear & concise 
couldn't help but notice how much depth he added to classical music reviews with his knowledge of natural stuff too 
. Clements' stats are crazy: he wrote over 12,000 reviews during his career 
. The value of his five-star reviews? Priceless 
. Some cool facts about him: he loved birds, butterflies, and orchids, which is so unique for a classical music critic 
. His love for contemporary music started at 16 when he heard Pierre Boulez's work - I'm gonna have to check that out now 
.
another legend gone too soon 
) & natural wonders is inspiring 
? didn't he get bored of listening to the same old stuff after a while?
. And yeah, I'm gonna miss those five-star reviews 
.