Readers of The Times asked Lang Lang questions – here are some of his answers:

What’s the one thing that no one knows about you?

LL: Every time when my flight is landing, I switch on the overhead light, count to ten and turn it off, to bring luck to the next city.

Which composer do you identify with the most?

LL: Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Beethoven

What is your greatest fear?

LL: Hurting my fingers or arms.

What is your motto?

LL: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step — Lao-tzu

What did you lose out on by having to spend so much time practising?

LL: Part of game time, but I did enjoy my childhood.

Looking back at your life, if you did one thing differently, what would it be?

LL: Play more sports!

Which country’s women do you like best?

LL: I like the type of woman who is sweet, charming and loves music.

Of course he wisely didn’t answer that last question.