Born in 1940 in Yixing/Province Jiangsu. Cheng began to learn GuQin at the age of 17 at the middle school attached to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 1965, Cheng graduated from the National Theoretical Composition Dept. of Shanghai Conservatory.Born in 1940 in Yixing/Province Jiangsu. Cheng began to learn GuQin at the age of 17 at the middle school attached to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 1965, Cheng graduated from the National Theoretical Composition Dept. of Shanghai Conservatory.

During the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) he stayed in Jinan ( capital of Shandong Province ) where he was involved in the composition of the revolutionary Peijing-Opera "The Red Lantern".

In 1983, he entered the Music Department of Nanjing Institut of Arts as an assistant professor. Since then he has done a lot of work in the transcription of ancient Chinese GuQin music.

Now Cheng Gongliang is one of the most recongnized master performers of the GuQin His CD "Sound Of Autumn" was brought as a gift by Chairman Jiang Zemin on his visit to other Asian States.

Cheng: "To play the GuQin, you have to isolate yourself from the outside world and enter the mood for it. Since ancient times, playing the GuQin has been a way of self-cultivation and self-expression."

His instruments: One was made in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Cheng named it "Wang You" ( 'forgetting sorrow' )and has a rather crystal and bright sound.

The other most treasured GuQin is called "Qiu Lai", which means ( "Sound of Autumn" ). This instrument was made in AD 715 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He got it from an old man. Half a year after he sent "Qiu Lai" to Cheng, the old man passed away.