IT IS 7AM AND the tousled blond man pushing his suitcase-laden trolley to the check-in counter at Chek Lap Kok hardly draws a second glance from the harried masses. Like his music, French pianist Richard Clayderman has a tendency to linger unremarkably in the background. The flashing brilliance, in this case his smile, is only evident when someone seeks him out. Clayder-man could never be accused of being flashy, obtrusive or in your face.
He is accompanied by his manager and producer Olivier Toussaint who, ironically, looks more the star than Clayderman does. Tall and suave, the former musician's matinee idol looks are enhanced by a leather jacket and the quintessential dark sunglasses. It's 25 years since Toussaint plucked the now 47-year-old Frenchman from obscurity and put him on the platinum best-sellers list with Ballade Pour Adeline, which has almost become Clayderman's theme.
The tune remains popular with his fans and, like Clayderman himself, has changed little over the years. Sure, the fine blond locks are a little thinner on top and there are a few more lines around the eyes when he turns on that 100-watt smile, but otherwise time has been kind to him.
We are supposed to be having our little 'chat' on a flight to Beijing, where he is scheduled to sign a contract with the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra (CBCO) for an album of ethnic songs from the country's northwest region. Much to my sleep-deprived relief, Clay-derman decides his batteries need a recharge after all that smiling and he promptly drifts off.
It isn't until we leave Beijing airport in his limousine that I manage to chat with a visibly more-rested Clayderman. Radical change does not sit well with him, he tells me in slightly breathless French (Touss-aint, who speaks with a pukka English accent, acts as interpreter). 'There may be evolution, but I've got my own way. I will never change that because that's my personality. What's exciting for me is to play something in my own style with my own piano, which is different from the way I have played Mozart or Chopin. That's what I am looking for.'
The pianist admits he is 'very organised', although Toussaint's good-natured description of his quirks make him sound borderline obsessive-compulsive. 'He likes everything in its exact place,' says Toussaint. 'If you go to his dressing room, you will find everything perfectly organised. If you move anything, he can tell immediately. But I don't mind. He must have two glasses of water in the exact position on his piano, with just the right amount of water - no more, no less. It's what he likes and I want him to feel good.'