FIRST IMPRESSIONS:RICHARD CLAYDERMAN
What are you working on?
Promoting my new album, Romantique. I will be going on my world tour soon.
When were you at your happiest?
When my children were born, those were very important moments for me. My career has been a succession of crazy, happy moments – it’s very rare for a pianist to have the chance to perform in so many countries around the world. I am a happy man most of the time.
What is your greatest fear?
If something happened to me – health or otherwise – so that I couldn’t perform any more.
What is your earliest memory?
I can remember being with my father, mother and my sister when I was five or six years old. And I can remember starting to learn the piano, encouraged by my father.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Classical composers such as Chopin and Debussy. Even though I’m not a classical pianist, these composers have been essential for what I do now.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I like everything! I am perhaps too meticulous.
What is your most treasured possession?
My father was a music teacher, and I have kept his accordion. I do play it a little bit, although it’s really a collector’s item now.
What trait do you most abhor in others?
When I see bad traits, I try not to get frustrated. I keep it inside. But generally I’m not very disturbed by others.
Do you have a fantasy address?
There are countries that I like very much, such as Japan and those in South America, but I would not like to leave my country and my friends. I’d say I live at my fantasy address now.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I don’t like my voice. I don’t like listening to it when I’m recorded.
What is your all-time favourite book?
I enjoy reading biographies. Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger… Politicians, either male or female. I like to read things about reality.
What is your favourite film?
It was one of the last movies I saw, which really touched me. It’s a French film called Rust And Bone and stars the actress Marion Cotillard as a woman who loses her legs.
What is your favourite record or piece of music?
There are many. My own favourite is Ballade Pour Adeline, as it launched my career.
What is your favourite meal?
I like vegetables, salads and good meat, especially Argentinian steak.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
There is a French actor who has had lots of success, Jean Dujardin [from the film The Artist]. He seems like he has a good sense of humour. Failing that, are you free tonight?
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
Of course some critics have written bad things about me during my career, but it’s rarely verbal. I choose not to remember them.
Do you believe in aliens?
No. But I do like watching fi lms about aliens.
What is your secret vice?
I have none.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I prefer to send people a present rather than writing letters.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Merde!
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Quiet neighbours. I’ve moved apartments 12 times due to noisy neighbours.
What would you like your epitaph to be?
Coda.
Romantique is out now on Decca Records: www.clayderman.co.uk
Promoting my new album, Romantique. I will be going on my world tour soon.
When were you at your happiest?
When my children were born, those were very important moments for me. My career has been a succession of crazy, happy moments – it’s very rare for a pianist to have the chance to perform in so many countries around the world. I am a happy man most of the time.
What is your greatest fear?
If something happened to me – health or otherwise – so that I couldn’t perform any more.
What is your earliest memory?
I can remember being with my father, mother and my sister when I was five or six years old. And I can remember starting to learn the piano, encouraged by my father.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Classical composers such as Chopin and Debussy. Even though I’m not a classical pianist, these composers have been essential for what I do now.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I like everything! I am perhaps too meticulous.
What is your most treasured possession?
My father was a music teacher, and I have kept his accordion. I do play it a little bit, although it’s really a collector’s item now.
What trait do you most abhor in others?
When I see bad traits, I try not to get frustrated. I keep it inside. But generally I’m not very disturbed by others.
Do you have a fantasy address?
There are countries that I like very much, such as Japan and those in South America, but I would not like to leave my country and my friends. I’d say I live at my fantasy address now.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I don’t like my voice. I don’t like listening to it when I’m recorded.
What is your all-time favourite book?
I enjoy reading biographies. Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger… Politicians, either male or female. I like to read things about reality.
What is your favourite film?
It was one of the last movies I saw, which really touched me. It’s a French film called Rust And Bone and stars the actress Marion Cotillard as a woman who loses her legs.
What is your favourite record or piece of music?
There are many. My own favourite is Ballade Pour Adeline, as it launched my career.
What is your favourite meal?
I like vegetables, salads and good meat, especially Argentinian steak.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
There is a French actor who has had lots of success, Jean Dujardin [from the film The Artist]. He seems like he has a good sense of humour. Failing that, are you free tonight?
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
Of course some critics have written bad things about me during my career, but it’s rarely verbal. I choose not to remember them.
Do you believe in aliens?
No. But I do like watching fi lms about aliens.
What is your secret vice?
I have none.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I prefer to send people a present rather than writing letters.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Merde!
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Quiet neighbours. I’ve moved apartments 12 times due to noisy neighbours.
What would you like your epitaph to be?
Coda.
Romantique is out now on Decca Records: www.clayderman.co.uk