Superstar pianist returning to Israel

Richard Clayderman set to make his first visit to Israel in four years.

By BARRY DAVIS
Richard Clayderman 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Richard Clayderman 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Richard Clayderman will make his first visit to Israel in four years when he plays concerts in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa on March 1-3.
The 58-year-old French artist, who has led a highly successful career for over three decades, got his first break at the age of 23 when he was asked to record a gentle piano ballad called “Adeline.” Record producers Olivier Toussaint and Paul de Senneville were suitably impressed by Clayderman’s rendition, as was the public. The single, called “Ballade pour Adeline,” sold no less than 22 million copies in 38 countries.
Over the years, Clayderman has recorded over 1,200 melodies, played in his trademark romantic style, and combines classical material with pop standards. He is one of the most prolific performers in the world, and has been known to play 200 concerts in 250 days. He has sold in excess of 100 million albums in 57 different countries, with 290 gold and 90 platinum discs.
In his concerts here Clayderman will be backed by 10 members of the Ra’anana Symphonette Orchestra and will play a repertoire that will include such perennial favorites as the themes from West Side Story, Love Story and Schindler’s List as well as “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and “Ballade pour Adeline.”