British Classical Music Legend Passes Away at 75
The classical music world has lost a cherished voice when renowned critic Andrew Clements passed away on Sunday at the age of 75, following a prolonged bout of illness. For an impressive three decades, Clements served as The Guardian's chief music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the publication and earning the respect of his peers.
With unwavering dedication, Clements traversed various genres of classical music in his reviews, offering insightful commentary that not only showcased his profound knowledge but also demonstrated a deep love for the art form. His unyielding commitment to contemporary music was particularly notable, as he skillfully bridged the gap between established and emerging composers.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements championed several prominent figures, including Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage. His tireless advocacy played a significant role in ensuring their work gained widespread recognition among critics and musical administrators alike.
A solo piano aficionado, Clements was particularly fond of the late Romanian musician Radu Lupu, frequently expressing his admiration for Lupu's performances. Conversely, Clements' eclectic interests extended beyond music, encompassing ornithology, entomology, and horticulture – an observation that often caught his colleagues off guard.
Beneath his tough exterior, Clements revealed a kind and generous personality. His support for fellow critics was unwavering, as were his willingness to offer praise, patience when needed, and incisive analysis. What's more, he never hesitated to poke fun at himself – an attribute that endeared him to those who knew him.
Reflecting on Clements' passing, Katharine Viner, The Guardian's editor-in-chief, described him as a "voice with the utmost passion and precision" whose reviews "were always illuminating and a joy to read." As the classical music world mourns his loss, it's clear that Andrew Clements left an enduring legacy – one that will be cherished by critics, musicians, and enthusiasts alike.
The classical music world has lost a cherished voice when renowned critic Andrew Clements passed away on Sunday at the age of 75, following a prolonged bout of illness. For an impressive three decades, Clements served as The Guardian's chief music critic, leaving an indelible mark on the publication and earning the respect of his peers.
With unwavering dedication, Clements traversed various genres of classical music in his reviews, offering insightful commentary that not only showcased his profound knowledge but also demonstrated a deep love for the art form. His unyielding commitment to contemporary music was particularly notable, as he skillfully bridged the gap between established and emerging composers.
Throughout his illustrious career, Clements championed several prominent figures, including Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen, and Mark-Anthony Turnage. His tireless advocacy played a significant role in ensuring their work gained widespread recognition among critics and musical administrators alike.
A solo piano aficionado, Clements was particularly fond of the late Romanian musician Radu Lupu, frequently expressing his admiration for Lupu's performances. Conversely, Clements' eclectic interests extended beyond music, encompassing ornithology, entomology, and horticulture – an observation that often caught his colleagues off guard.
Beneath his tough exterior, Clements revealed a kind and generous personality. His support for fellow critics was unwavering, as were his willingness to offer praise, patience when needed, and incisive analysis. What's more, he never hesitated to poke fun at himself – an attribute that endeared him to those who knew him.
Reflecting on Clements' passing, Katharine Viner, The Guardian's editor-in-chief, described him as a "voice with the utmost passion and precision" whose reviews "were always illuminating and a joy to read." As the classical music world mourns his loss, it's clear that Andrew Clements left an enduring legacy – one that will be cherished by critics, musicians, and enthusiasts alike.
man those were the days when music critics actually knew their stuff, like Andrew Clements back in the day... he was a legend for sure, always so passionate about his job & never afraid to speak his mind 
I remember reading his reviews for The Guardian, and it's amazing how much knowledge & love for classical music shone through on every page 
. He may be gone, but his legacy lives on in the countless artists he helped get their due 
. RIP Andrew Clements, you will be deeply missed by all who loved music 
! My ex and I were talking about Andrew Clements last night before bed and we were both reminiscing about how much we loved his music reviews 
... anyway, it's so sad that he's gone at 75... he was always my go-to guy when it comes to classical music recommendations 
. And omg I'm totally gonna miss reading his critiques on The Guardian 
... did you know I met him at a concert once and I was literally starstruck 
... anyway, I just want to say that he'll be deeply missed by me and all the people who loved his work 
and the stories about him being a kind and generous guy are really nice to hear 
anyone else growing up listening to his words of wisdom? 
, I loved reading his reviews for The Guardian, he was like a breath of fresh air for classical music 
always so passionate & precise 
, and it's crazy to think he was championing those talented composers like Harrison Birtwistle & Mark-Anthony Turnage in the 90s 
#RIPAndrewClements 
#ClassicalMusicLegend #MusicLoversUnite 
, still giving us chills to this day 
. and it's cool how they balanced being super knowledgeable about classical music with being down-to-earth about other stuff they liked 
... anyway, clemens was a master of his craft 
, so we'll miss him 
. Andrew Clements was literally the ultimate music critic. He knew his stuff and wasn't afraid to share it. Loved how he wasn't just stuck on period pieces but actually cared about newer composers too. Plus, can we talk about how cool is that he had a whole other life outside of music? Like, ornithology and entomology? That's like me being into video games and still loving Pokémon 
. What I love most though is his kindness and generosity. He wasn't just tough on others but also super supportive. Rest in peace, Andrew Clements 
. I used to love reading his reviews in The Guardian back in the day 
. Rest in peace Andrew Clements, you were definitely one of the greatest music critics of all time 
and yeah, i'm gonna miss those solo piano posts where he'd share all about Radu Lupu 
what a loss for the world of classical music 
so many ppl who grew up listenin to his reviews still remember 'em as some of the most insightful & passionate out there 
. As someone who values mindfulness and self-care, I admire how Clements' life outside of music reflected a deep appreciation for nature & the simple things 
. Let's take a moment to appreciate his contributions to classical music and remember him as a kind soul with a heart full of love 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that he had a massive following on Twitter and whatnot, but sometimes I think we lost something special when music criticism shifted to a more digital format 
he had an impressive rep of championing new composers like Birtwistle & Abrahamsen 
did u see his entomology & horticulture posts? 
crazy, right?! 
