Andrew Clements

**french frank** · 12-01-26, 10:26

Originally posted by oliver sudden View Post

I thought we would have him with us for quite a while yet. Alas no. RIP.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...e_iOSApp_Other

Goodness. He was a little older than I'd thought . So who will replace him to at least maintain classical music's profile at the Guardian, such as it's been? Anyone? RIP

**Petrushka** · 12-01-26, 11:36

Originally posted by french frank View Post

Goodness. He was a little older than I'd thought . So who will replace him to at least maintain classical music's profile at the Guardian, such as it's been? Anyone? RIP

Martin Kettle seems to be knowledgeable on music and has done a number of concert and record reviews for the Guardian, in addition to his political column.

**oddoneout** · 12-01-26, 16:19

Originally posted by french frank View Post

Goodness. He was a little older than I'd thought . So who will replace him to at least maintain classical music's profile at the Guardian, such as it's been? Anyone? RIP

Erica Jeal has been contributing for a good few years and has the right sort of credentials it would seem. Clive Paget also contributes, and a couple of other journos do crits of concerts etc

**Pianoman** · 12-01-26, 17:03

Oh dear, that's quite shocking. I remember bumping into him at one of the Huddersfield CM Festivals some years ago. I always enjoyed reading his column, whether I agreed or not.

**bluestateprommer** · 12-01-26, 22:00

Tim Ashley is also a regular Guardian reviewer of classical concerts, like Erica Jeal. The Grauniad seems to have a pretty deep bench of writers with the knowledge to continue classical coverage.

Very sad to hear this news about Andrew Clements, always worth reading in The Guardian. Condolences to his family.

**duncan** · 13-01-26, 07:29

I always read Clements and admired his work, his championing of contemporary music, and his parsimoniousness with praise. Five stars from him meant something. I not infrequently disagreed with his views but they were always well expressed and worth reading. He mentioned in his review of 2025 that he'd had been unable to attend concerts for a chunk of the year but the way it was phrased implied the issue was over and he was back in harness.

I hope the Guardian continues to cover classical music and they have several good candidates to step into Clements' shoes.

**HighlandDougie** · 13-01-26, 10:46

Very sad news. As others have said, could be rather idiosyncratic but a great champion of the new. A recent example in my case is the Boulez Éclat/Multiples from Bastille Musique which I doubt if I would have come across had he not written an enthusiastic review. RIP.

**edashtav** · 13-01-26, 16:38

Originally posted by duncan View Post

I always read Clements and admired his work, his championing of contemporary music, and his parsimoniousness with praise. Five stars from him meant something. I not infrequently disagreed with his views but they were always well expressed and worth reading. He mentioned in his review of 2025 that he'd had been unable to attend concerts for a chunk of the year but the way it was phrased implied the issue was over and he was back in harness.

I hope the Guardian continues to cover classical music and they have several good candidates to step into Clements' shoes.

Yes, a sad loss of a unique and valued listener.

**Alison** · 14-01-26, 06:46

I often used to buy the Guardian on a Friday and was always pleased when he was the CD reviewer. He could say a lot in relatively few words.

**Retune** · 14-01-26, 17:12

I remember reading one of his rare 5* reviews after attending a concert, Piotr Anderszewski at the Barbican in 2024, which thoroughly deserved the full marks he awarded. The review was as beautifully judged as the performance ('in every one of those pieces Anderszewski’s ability to crystallise a whole expressive world in microcosm was extraordinary'). Sadly it seems he would only be able to continue going to concerts for a few months after this, and only a couple more events would earn his unreserved praise.

**vinteuil** · 16-01-26, 15:58

.

‘He was, above all, a treasured spirit, who understood how vital music is for the human soul’: tributes to Andrew Clements

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/16/a-treasured-spirit-who-understood-how-vital-music-is-for-the-human-soul-tributes-to-andrew-clements

In the week that we mourn the death of the Guardian’s long-serving classical music critic, composers, performers, colleagues and others who knew and worked with him pay tribute to a writer whose passing is a huge loss to the music world

**oliver sudden** · 17-01-26, 04:59

Originally posted by vinteuil View Post

.

‘He was, above all, a treasured spirit, who understood how vital music is for the human soul’: tributes to Andrew Clements

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/16/a-treasured-spirit-who-understood-how-vital-music-is-for-the-human-soul-tributes-to-andrew-clements

In the week that we mourn the death of the Guardian’s long-serving classical music critic, composers, performers, colleagues and others who knew and worked with him pay tribute to a writer whose passing is a huge loss to the music world

I know Tamara reasonably well but I had no idea she could write like that!

**ostuni** · 17-01-26, 13:28

Yes, a lovely set of tributes in today’s Guardian. And yes, striking writing by Tamara S. (Off-topic: I’ve heard her a few times here in London, and have to say I find her Messiaen interpretations *much* more convincing than those of P-L A)

**Pulcinella** · 19-01-26, 22:27

Guardian obituary:

Andrew Clements obituary

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/19/andrew-clements-obituary

Chief classical music critic of the Guardian admired for writing without fear or favour

Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements

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