More Info on Richard ClaydermanSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
BLP sources|date=May 2011Infobox musical artist| name = Richard Clayderman| image = Richard Clayderman.jpg| image_size = 200| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| birth_name = Philippe Pagès| birth_date = Birth date and age|1953|12|28|df=yes| origin = Paris , France | instrument = Piano | genre = Instrumental Pop music|pop Classical music|Classical Easy listening Semi-classical| occupation = Pianist | years_active = 1976–present| label =Delphine Richard Clayderman (born Philippe Pagès , 28 December 1953, Paris , France ) is a French people|French pianist who has released numerous albums including the compositions of Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint , instrumental renditions of popular music, rearrangements of movie soundtracks, ethnic music, and easy-listening arrangements of most popular works of classical music.
Early life
Clayderman learned piano from his father, a piano teacher.
At the age of twelve, he was accepted into the Conservatoire de Paris , where he won great acclaim in his later adolescent years. Financial difficulties, not the least precipitated by his father's illness, forestalled a promising career as a classical pianist. So in order to earn a living, he found work as a bank clerk and as an accompanist to contemporary bands. He accompanied French singers such as Johnny Hallyday , Thierry Le Luron , and Michel Sardou .
"Ballade pour Adeline"
In 1976, he was invited by Olivier Toussaint , a French record producer , and his partner Paul de Senneville , to record a gentle piano ballad. de Senneville had composed this ballad as a tribute to his new daughter "Adeline". The 23-year-old Pagès was auditioned along with 20 other pianists and got the job. "He was an interesting musician with a soft touch and good technique", said Toussaint. "And he looked good, too". http://www.clayderman.co.uk/olivier_toussaint_interview.htm Clayderman.co.uk
Pagès' name was changed to Richard Clayderman (he adopted his great-grandmother's last name to avoid mispronunciation of his real name outside France), and the single took off, selling 22 million copies in 38 countries.Citation needed|date=May 2011 It was called " Ballade pour Adeline ".
Success
Clayderman has recorded over 1,300 melodies, and has created a new romantic style through a repertoire which combines his trademark originals with classics and pop standards. He has devoted much of his time to performing concerts, going as far as playing 200 shows in 250 days.Citation needed|date=September 2009 He has clocked up worldwide record sales of approximately 70 million, as of|2006|lc=on, and 267 gold and 70 platinum discs to his credit. He is popular in Asia and is noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as being "the most successful pianist in the world". http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2006/09/08/2003326772 Taipeitimes.com
He lives in Saint-Ouen (near Paris) with his wife Christine, his son Peter, and his daughter Maud.
30 Ans - The chemin de gloire (30 years - The path of glory) (2xCD)
50 Exitos Romanticos (3xCD)
101 Solistes Tziganes (CD)
See also
List of best selling music artists
References
Reflist
External links
http://www.clayderman.co.uk Official website
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p1891|pure_url=yes His biography
http://www.woim.net/artist/41/richard-clayderman.html Play Album of Richard Clayderman
http://www.rfimusique.com/sitefr/biographie/biographie_9072.asp Richard Clayderman
Persondata | NAME =Clayderman, Richard | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =28 December 1953 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Clayderman, Richard Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:French pianists Category:Easy listening music Category:Alumni of the Conservatoire de Paris Category:Musicians from Paris
