VietNamNet Bridge – Richard Clayderman, one of today's most prolific easy-listening pianists, will perform for the first time in Viet Nam next month.

One night only: Richard Clayderman, one of the world's most successful pianists, will give one concert in the capital.

The most successful pianist in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Clayderman will take the stage at Ha Noi's National Convention Hall on August 23.

Concert organisers VPBank and South East Entertainment have been in discussions with Clayderman and his agent for two years.

"To get his consent, we had to satisfy a long list of very tough requirements for quality sound and lighting systems and performance venue, among other things," said Tran Tuan Viet, a representative from VPBank.

Although the final decision on the repertoire has not yet been made, the organiser revealed that Clayderman would present pieces from his latest album Romantique – the first album he has released in more than a decade. He will be accompanied by eight Vietnamese string musicians from the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, including international award-winning violinist Bui Cong Duy.

Born in France as Phillipe Pages, he took the stage name Clayderman (from his great-grandmother) because his producers were concerned that his real name would be mispronounced outside France.

Clayderman started to learn classical piano at a very young age under the guidance of his father, a piano teacher. At the age of 12, he entered the Paris Conservatory and won first prize for piano at 16. When he found it difficult to make a living as a classical pianist, he turned to popular music and toured with French rock musician Johnny Hallyday.

Despite the fact that he was born in 1953, it can be said Richard Clayderman was "born" in 1977 with the release of the recording of Ballade pour Adeline. The record, which sold over 20 million copies in 38 countries, made Clayderman world-famous. He has recorded over 1,200 melodies and has massive worldwide record sales of more than 90 million.

In 1985, after a concert in New York, then-US First Lady Nancy Reagan gave him the nickname "The Prince of Romance".

Ticket information for the Ha Noi performance can be found at www.

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