Andrew Clements, Guardian classical music critic, dies aged 75 Classical music

Andrew Clements, the Guardian’s long-serving and much-admired classical music critic, died on Sunday at the age of 75 after a period of illness.

Clements joined the Guardian Arts staff in August 1993, succeeding Edward Greenfield as the paper’s chief music critic. His appointment was decided by a personal recommendation to the editor from the late Alfred Brendel, who championed Clements for the job because of his deep understanding of contemporary music. Over the next 32 years, Clements diversified into all areas of classical music in his writing for the Guardian, and often beyond it.

A distinct and distinct critical voice, his depth of knowledge and love of music was evident in everything he wrote. He was highly respected by his fellow critics and the value of his hard-earned five-star reviews was invaluable. While ill health has prevented him from reviewing live events since March 2025, his last CD review was published on 2 January.

Clements’ musical interests changed while still at school as a young flutist when he came across a work by Pierre Boulez that opened the door to his lifelong connection with contemporary music and his encyclopedic knowledge. For decades afterward, he could recall almost every concert he ever attended. In all areas of music, he was not afraid to ruffle feathers, and was happy to stick to his deeply held convictions, refusing to follow more conservative or orthodox views.

Before joining The Guardian, Clements was music critic for the New Statesman and editor of Musical Times. He wrote for the Financial Times between 1979 and 1993. He began his career working for Faber Music Publishers and the Open University after obtaining a degree in theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge.

His support of composers including Harrison Birtwistle, Hans Abrahamsen, Oliver Knussen and Mark Anthony Turnage helped ensure that their work was taken seriously by other critics and music departments. Solo piano music was also one of Clements’ greatest loves. In one of the last pieces he wrote, he said of the late Romanian composer Radu Lupu: “I have never heard a pianist in over 50 years of playing who has given me more consistent pleasure or a greater sense of wonder.”

Outside of music, birds, butterflies and orchids have been a lifelong passion, and woe to the operatic choreographer who gets birds wrong.

The sometimes tough exterior he presented belied his kind and warm nature. He was a generous supporter of his colleagues, quick to praise, patient with questions, and insightful with his insights. Above all, he was always happy to laugh at himself.

Catherine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, said: “Andrew Clements wrote about classical music with the utmost passion and precision. His reviews for the Guardian relied on a lifetime of discerning listening and, as well as being informative, were always enjoyable reading.”