RICHARD CLAYDERMAN IS A PHENOMENON

The French pianist, now in his sixties, has sold more than 150 million records and helped create a new genre of “popular classical” music. He also became an unlikely pin-up during the '80s, courtesy of soft-focus television commercials for his albums that emphasised his angelic good looksand wonderful hair.

"Some people say that my music is 'elevator music'", reveals the 61-year-old musician. "This is their way to make clear that they consider it as a secondary music, a low level music. In fact, it is neither jazz nor classical. It is a kind of soft pop music that appeals to millions of people on the five continents."

For all his achievements, Clayderman's life has been tinged with bittersweet moments. Through his years of success he was entangled in a number of unsuccessful romances which belied his cherub-next-door image.

"My father's wish was that I become a piano accompanist. He would never have hoped that I become what I am today. No doubt he would have been very proud. I regret that he passed away a few months before [my career took off]. I still remember when Olivier Toussaint offered me the opportunity to record 'Ballade pour Adeline'," Clayderman recalls.

"He said, 'Let's do this recording for the pleasure, not to expect that it sells more than 10,000 copies. Honestly, neither he nor I could imagine that it would sell more than 20 million copies and that it would open the door to my career with the fantastic opportunity to record more than 1000 titles and to perform more than 2000 concerts over the past 35 years."

POPULAR MUSIC

Clayderman understands that the classical world can be snobbish towards those who sell millions of records. It isn't really his world. He doesn't play for elitists but rather for ordinary people. He is an entertainer, not an upholder of musical traditions stretching back decades."It is true that I attended classical music conservatory and had a classical education before deciding not to devote my life to classical music. My classic studies are the essential base to what I do today. I often say and shall always say that I am not a classical pianist. I am a popular pianist. In France we say 'pianiste de varktes'."