'World's most successful' pianist brings tour to NZ

The "world's most successful" pianist Richard Clayderman and world renowned Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang are coming to New Zealand this year.

Clayderman has 267 gold disks and 70 platinum albums to his name, and record sales of more than 150 million.

Lang Lang, named as Time magazine's top 100 most influential people in 2009, has performed with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States and China.

"They are possibly the two best pianists in the world currently, and they are coming to Auckland," said Paul Young, an organiser of the Clayderman concert.

Lang Lang will perform at the Civic Theatre next month, and Clayderman in October at the Logan Campbell Theatre.

"I am delighted to return to the delightful and picturesque New Zealand," said Lang Lang, who last performed here three years ago.

"I cannot wait to touch your hearts and souls with my magic."

Born in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, he comes from a family with royal links to Qing empresses.

He has performed at Carbegie Hall, Central Park New York, Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles and was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Concert promoter Danny Chen said organisers were running a youth piano competition to give young performers a chance to share the stage at his Auckland show.

"We want to give young Aucklanders an opportunity to perform alongside Lang Lang," Mr Chen said.

Mr Young said organisers were in discussions with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra to perform with Clayderman.

"We want to have local musicians to perform together with this great French pianist," Mr Young said.

The French musician, who has recorded over 1300 melodies and spends much of his time performing concerts, was last here in 2013.

Born Phillpe Pages, his name was changed to Richard Clayderman to avoid mispronunciation of his real name outside France.

His first single in 1976 Ballade pour Adeline sold over 22 million copies in 38 countries.

Over the past three decades, according to Mr Young, an estimated 35 million copies of Clayderman albums had been sold.

RICHARD CLAYDERMAN

• October 15

• Logan Campbell Theatre, ASB Showgrounds

LANG LANG

• June 12

• Auckland Civic Theatre, Cnr Queen & Wellesley Sts