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#SHOWBIZ: Richard Clayderman, 70, proves he's still the prince of romance

AH, those were the days when Richard Clayderman reigned as every teenage girl's ultimate crush.

With his golden locks, dreamy blue eyes and that signature dazzling smile, the French pianist was romance personified.

And let's be real, he wasn't called the Prince of Romance for nothing.

A lifetime ago, we'd scrape together every cent of our pocket money to buy his cassette tapes and sheet music.

For those of us who couldn't afford the piano books (complete with photos of the smouldering Parisian staring back at us on the covers), we resorted to photocopying his music and spent hours trying to decipher it, wishing our sight-reading skills were better.

We still remember Ballade Pour Adeline, Nostalgia, Mariage d'Amour, and many other classics that shaped our piano journey. Grade 4 exam pieces were quickly abandoned, replaced by Clayderman's enchanting repertoire. Scales and arpeggios? Long forgotten.

The Frenchman didn't just inspire us to play — he made us fall in love, note by note, with the piano.

Call it elevator music or lightweight stuff, but there's no denying Clayderman's success. His melodies struck a chord with audiences worldwide, filling living rooms, concert halls, and yes, even elevators.

Love it or not, he's managed to create a sound that's both accessible and enduring — a feat many musicians can only dream of.

Recognised by the Guinness World Records as 'the most successful pianist in the world', Clayderman has 267 Gold and 70 Platinum discs to his name. His debut album, Ballade Pour Adeline, sold over 20 million copies and was distributed across 38 countries, marking the start of a global musical phenomenon.

CONCERT OF A LIFETIME

As the 70-year-old stepped onto the stage, where the grand piano held court, he effortlessly commanded the room.

The audience in Kuala Lumpur's Mega Star Arena was captivated, and I found myself clutching my sister's arm in disbelief as he waved warmly to the crowd. From the cassettes of my childhood to seeing him perform live — right before my eyes — it felt utterly surreal.

The Richard Clayderman Asia Tour Live in KL concert, presented by Harmonie International, opened with a medley of Clayderman's timeless favourites — Viva la Vida, Murmures, A Comme Amour, Chariots of Fire and of course, the iconic Ballade pour Adeline.

As the maestro played with unwavering concentration, the screen behind him projected a younger Clayderman, fingers gliding over the keys in sync. It felt like a duet between two versions of the same man — one present, one preserved in memory — bridging decades through music.

It was a poignant reminder that while the pianist himself may have aged, his melodies remain as timeless as ever.

Just as nostalgia was reaching its peak, Clayderman shifted gears to deliver his most legendary pieces, including Mariage d'Amour and Souvenirs d'Enfance. The room practically sighed in unison as memories — both distant and recent — filled the hall.

It was yet another trip down memory lane, leaving everyone either smiling, tearing up, or perhaps plotting a quick return to the piano bench at home!

Adding a refreshing twist, he treated the audience to a specially arranged medley of movie soundtracks, each creatively reimagined for a fresh, immersive experience.

The standout moment? His rendition of the Titanic soundtrack, which swept everyone into the dramatic highs and tragic lows of the iconic love story aboard the ill-fated ship.

One of the concert's highlights was Clayderman's collaboration with nine-year-old cellist, Harmony Chen. The young prodigy joined him for a well-received performance of Butterfly Lovers, earning warm applause from the audience. Harmony, who began studying the cello at five, captured international attention as the youngest winner of the Mendelssohn Competition last year.

Another memorable part of the evening was a performance featuring four young Malaysian pianists, handpicked to share the stage with the maestro.

Their passion and skill were evident, reflecting a meaningful musical exchange across generations. Clayderman once again proved to be an enduring source of inspiration for younger musicians, just as he has throughout his career.

His hands flew tirelessly over the keys, head bowed in familiar intimacy, and his face gazing at the piano like a beloved companion.

All around me, a younger crowd watched him with wide-eyed wonder.

It was like déjà vu — just as he'd captivated my sister and me as teenagers, here he was, still casting his spell over a fresh wave of admirers.

As long as those nimble fingers keep flirting with the ivory keys, one thing's for sure: Clayderman isn't going anywhere. He'll be serenading audiences — both young and not-so-young — well into the future.

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