His career spans six decades and he has recorded more than 1,400 songs. Pianist Richard Clayderman tells Rachel Banham about his latest studio album.

It seems like only yesterday that Richard Clayderman rose to fame with his beautiful rendition of Ballade Pour Adeline.
Incredibly that was 45 years ago and his latest album sees Richard work again with Paul de Senneville, his long-time collaborator and composer of the 1977 signature recording that set him on the path to become a worldwide star, selling 22 million copies in 38 countries.
The album, Forever Love, which was recorded last year in Paris, features four new original compositions by Paul, as well as renditions of modern classics including Coldplay’s Viva La Vida and Ed Sheeran’s Perfect Symphony. There are also classical favourites including The Waltz of the Flowers and The Radetzky March.
Richard says: “At the time, all of my live dates had been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, so I wanted to do something new for everyone as it had been such a long time since I had been in the studio.
“I started listening to some of my old favourites which brought back such wonderful memories, and I also thought it would be fun to take on some more unexpected tracks such as from Ed Sheeran.

Great British Life: Pianist Richard Clayderman's career spans six decades.Pianist Richard Clayderman's career spans six decades. (Image: © D.Arrault)

"It was wonderful to team up with Paul once again to create some new compositions too as that’s where the story really began!”
Richard kept busy during the pandemic, practising his beloved piano and uploading video messages to keep fans up-to-date on
his news.
“It was very sad, but every day I practised on my piano … not to forget all the titles that I do on stage,” he says.
“Now I prefer to work, to travel, to do my concerts because touring is very special.”
When he is on tour, Ballade Pour Adeline is consistently popular.
“I notice that at every concert the audience is waiting for Ballade Pour Adeline,” he says.
“It’s very important for me, this title and this melody, and it’s always a pleasure for me to play this title as a solo part or with musicians or with a string section. It’s part of my heart.”
Richard trained at the Conservatoire de Paris in his native France. He has sold more than 90 million albums and has been heralded as ‘The Prince of Romance’.
“I think it’s nice because my music is romantic,” he says.
“I try to bring my sensitiveness, my emotion when I play the piano. It is my style and I like to play these melodies like that.”
It has also been said that Richard has arguably done more to popularise the piano than anyone since Beethoven.
Richard explains that he sees his music as “a good bridge” towards classical music for children, for example, looking to take up the piano.
He says: “When I was two, three or four years old I started to play the piano, at the start of my life you know.
“Every day I play the piano. Every day I play three or four hours a day. Even when I am in concert … in the morning always I practise.
“It is really part of my life. Every day I play the piano and it’s special for me. It’s very, very important.”

Great British Life: Richard Clayderman's latest studio album, Forever Love, is out now on BMG.Richard Clayderman's latest studio album, Forever Love, is out now on BMG. (Image: BMG)
Now his fans have Forever Love to enjoy and some of his earlier studio albums have recently been released digitally too.
Richard played at Bahrain National Theatre this March and toured Central America in May.
He is due to appear on stage in Dublin, Ireland, in September.
He is keen to return to the UK at some point too.
“It will be very great for me to be back in your country. It would be fine,” he says.
“Always I try to play with my heart and I try to give my emotion.”
He adds: “With my piano I have the possibility to go everywhere, all around the world. I like London. Every city is very special also for me.
“England is very important for me. A few years ago I had big success in England, in the UK, and that’s why it’s very important for me to be back and to speak to my audience.”
■ Richard Clayderman’s studio album, Forever Love, is out now on BMG.
■ Visit Richard’s website at: www.clayderman.co.uk
■ You can also follow him on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/claydermanmusic
■ Find him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/
RichardClaydermanOfficial

Great British Life: Richard Clayderman features in the August 2022 issue of Let's Talk magazine.Richard Clayderman features in the August 2022 issue of Let's Talk magazine. (Image: Archant)