The Guardian's chief classical music critic, Andrew Clements, has died at the age of 75 following a period of ill health. For more than three decades, his authoritative, intelligent, and often witty reviews were a cornerstone of the newspaper's arts coverage.
A Critic of Unwavering Integrity and Wide-Ranging Passion
Clements was admired for writing without fear or favour, mastering the rare art of translating musical performance into precise, evocative prose. While best known as a tireless champion of contemporary and challenging composers—from Harrison Birtwistle to Pierre Boulez—his musical tastes were remarkably broad. In a notable Guardian review, he once posited that Brian Wilson's 'God Only Knows' was the most perfect pop song ever written.
His passions extended far beyond the concert hall. A dedicated naturalist and aficionado of Latin American literature, these interests famously converged in his 2008 review of an opera based on Gabriel García Márquez, where he pointed out the director's erroneous use of chameleons, which are not native to South America.
A Lifelong Career in Music and Words
Born on 15 September 1950 in Hucclecote, Gloucestershire, Clements was the first in his family to attend university, studying theoretical physics at Cambridge. He played the flute and his early musical landscape was shaped by the Cheltenham and Three Choirs festivals, fostering a lifelong commitment to covering regional music scenes.
His career in journalism spanned decades. He served as music critic for the New Statesman for 11 years from 1977, contributed to Time Out and the Financial Times—where he also worked as a rock critic—and had a stint as editor of the Musical Times. He joined the Guardian in August 1993, succeeding Edward Greenfield, a role secured partly on the recommendation of pianist Alfred Brendel.
He also worked as a commissioning editor for music books at Faber & Faber and was a valued contributor to major reference works like The New Grove Dictionary of Music.
Personal Passions and a Valedictory Tone
An avid birdwatcher and plant collector, Clements travelled extensively, with Greece and South America among his favourite destinations. He often travelled with his partner, the opera librettist Amanda Holden, who died in 2021.
His final reviews carried a poignant quality. His penultimate piece for the Guardian reflected on recordings by pianist Radu Lupu, noting he gave him "a greater sense of wonder" than any other. Despite illness from early 2025, he continued to write. His last published review, of Nadia Boulanger's opera La Ville Morte, appeared in early January, shortly before he contracted the flu that led to his death on 11 January 2026.
Andrew Clements is survived by his former wife, Kate, their two daughters, Lara and Holly, and two grandchildren.
