GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat Major, Opus 53 at an Apple Store on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York on March 19 (WU KAIXIANG)

Celebrity Chinese pianist Lang Lang, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2004, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York on March 21 at a benefit to support UNICEF's relief efforts in earthquake-hit Haiti.

His co-performers at the fundraising concert included conductor Christoph Eschenbach and Germany's Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, which was making its New York debut.

Presented by Cami Music LLC with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, the concert attracted hundreds of New Yorkers who filled the 2,800-seat Isaac Stern Auditorium. Carnegie Hall was sold out that night, according to Lang Lang.

"Two years ago, my country was shaken by a terrible earthquake. I was shocked to see my people devastated. Two months ago, another horrific earthquake struck Haiti. It brought back extremely painful memories," Lang Lang said at the start of the concert. "That's why we are here tonight, to give hope."

Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF, appeared on stage with written greetings from former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. She said that the concert would help raise awareness of the urgent situation in Haiti and that the money it raised would be used to help children in Haiti rebuild their homes, communities and schools.

Lang Lang and his team had already raised $100,000 before the benefit concert, Lang Lang announced. All the money including the net proceeds from the concert will be donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Earlier this week, Lang Lang appeared at an Apple Store on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where he performed Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat Major, Opus 53. His new recording of the piece was released on March 16 on iTunes and is now ranked first on the iTunes classical chart. All proceeds from the recording will be donated to UNICEF.

(Reporting from New York)