The French 'Romantic' pianist adored in China
Although his celebrity status has faded in the West, Richard Clayderman remains adored in the Asian nation, where he has played for 25 years
His name may not be immediately recognizable but his music certainly is: best-selling French pianist Richard Clayderman’s tunes are ubiquitous in public spaces, particularly in China where for decades, his blond hair and blue eyes have earned him the title “Prince Charming”.
Although his celebrity status has faded in the West, he remains adored in the Asian nation, where he has played for 25 years.
“No one is a prophet in his own country,” Clayderman said ahead of his Christmas Day performance at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the ruling Communist Party’s state building on the edge of Tiananmen Square.
The 63-year-old pianist is known worldwide for his 1976 “Ballad for Adeline.”
In his more than 40-year career, Clayderman says he has sold 60 million records internationally, making him one of the best-selling French musicians in history, alongside Mireille Mathieu, Jean-Michel Jarre and late Johnny Hallyday.
According to Clayderman’s website, he has 70 Platinum discs to his credit.