Pianist Lang Lang chosen as UN Messenger of Peace

China's pianist Lang Lang, right, receives a badge from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a United Nations Messenger of Peace at the UN headquarters in New York, Oct 29, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Two weeks ago, Lang Lang met Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old advocate for girls' education and survivor of a Taliban assassination attempt, and said he was "deeply touched by her mind and by her way of feeling about the world."

"In the future, if she needs me, I would love to help her," he said.

Lang Lang said he will continue work with the foundation he started five years ago to train talented students to be future musicians and creating easier access to youngsters with no music background.

"Children and music are my passion," he said, adding that he hopes to expand the foundation's work in the US and the rest of the world, including China.

Ban said Lang Lang first became interested in piano "as a three-year-old watching Tom and Jerry cartoons."

He is now "one of the most exciting and accomplished musicians of our time," performing with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States and China.

After accepting a pin and certificate from the secretary-general, Lang Lang treated the crowded news conference to Chopin's Waltz Number 1. He said he chose the composition to honor the occasion because it's a beautiful piece that brings "wonderful joyful feelings."

"So for me, I think it was a good piece to wake everybody up," he said.

Begged for an encore, Lang Lang wrapped up the press conference by playing a new Chinese piece that said "has a cool name - Sea Weed."