Clayderman gives maiden concert in Kolkata

KOLKATA: World renowned pianist Richard Clayderman and santoor artist Rahul Sharma came on the stage together in a maiden concert to present fusion music from their latest CD `The Confluence''.
In an open-air theatre Monday evening, Sharma set the mood for the evening with a 30-minute rendition of ''Mishra Khambaj'' on the santoor, accompanied by Shafat Ahmed Khan on the tabla and Shibasis Chakraborty on the tanpura.
As the audience comprising the city''s glitteratti listened in rapt attention, santoor and tabla teased and raced each other in a jugalbandi.
Part two of the show saw Clayderman on stage, dressed in a fiery orange blazer and black trousers.
The legendary pianist presented a medley of hits from his repertoire.
In his half-hour solo concert, Clayderman played, among other tunes, ''Don''t Cry for Me, Argentina'' (from the musical ''Evita,'' ''Sarlight'' (from the Andrew Loyd Webber musical ''Cats''), ''There''s a Kind of Hush'' (made famous by Herman''s Hermits and The Carpenters) and a theme from the film ''Mackenna''s Gold.''
Then, the ''Prince of Romance'' appeared with Rahul Sharma to thrill the audience with numbers from ''The Confluence.''
The duo treated the audience to hits like ''Together,'' ''Jaisalmer,'' (both original compositions), ''Dekha ek Khwab'' (from the film ''Silsila'') and the Mohammad Rafi hit ''Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan.''
Earlier, Kolkata''s very own pop diva Usha Uthup welcomed Clayderman and Sharma, presenting the pianist with a shawl.