Bidding will open at $165,000 and will be accepted beginning Thursday, July 17th until midnight on July 31st, 2008. The piano, a Steinway Model D Concert Grand, with red high polish finish, is one of only two in the world, and was completed this year.

The concert took place on The Great Lawn in Central Park last night and concludes the 44th season of the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer. Music Director Designate Alan Gilbert conducted the Orchestra in works by Beethoven and Sibelius, in addition to the Tchaikovsky with Lang Lang as soloist.

"It has a fantastic sound," Lang Lang told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I enjoyed playing it last night. It's a really powerful piano. That's what I like : a piano with lots of power."

The 26-year-old Chinese pianist is from Shenyang, outside the Sichuan area, which was hit hardest by the quake.

The American Red Cross China Earthquake Relief Fund aids recovery from the devastating earthquake that took place on May 12, 2008. Over 75,000 people were killed, 375,000 people were injured, 20,000 people are still missing and more than 15 million people have been displaced, many of whom still need shelter, water, food and medicine.

In addition to making a personal donation to earthquake relief efforts, Lang Lang has also participated in several events in China that have raised more than three million dollars in aid to the affected region. He is also associated with the Chinese mineral water company, 5100 Tibet Spring, which has donated 1.8 million dollars worth of fresh spring water to the relief effort.

To place a bid on the piano, visit www.langlang.com

To make a separate donation to the Red Cross China Earthquake Relief Fund, visit the Red Cross Donation Site