Inner World

The World of Yesterday

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSGuYdzltNM

Ellie Goulding - Lights Beautiful Piano

Far Away Days break from synth-wave and created a piano instrumental album featuring songs with all acoustic grand pianos with modest drums on several tracks.  Modern classical genre fused with some rock and pop influences.  

Impossible Sonata

In bamboo forests, tall and strong
Whispers of resilience hum along
Through wind and storm, they bow but stand
A living strength within the land.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinists: Joana Ly and Suzannah Quirke
Violist: Connor Quigley 
Cellist: William Lui

© SHIRLEY LY

Bamboo Forests 竹林 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

In Kashgar’s ancient city, the bustle hums
Where Silk Road traders’ footsteps drums.
Spices, silks and stories blend. 
A vibrant pulse that has no end.

Composer & Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinists: Joana Ly, Suzannah Quirke
Violist: Connor Quigley
Cellist: William Lui

© SHIRLEY LY

Kashgar Ancient City 喀什噶尔古城 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

The Last Waltz

Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune is the third movement of his Suite Bergamasque, written for solo piano and completed in 1905. The title, meaning “Moonlight,” is inspired by Paul Verlaine’s poem, evoking a serene and reflective atmosphere. The piece epitomizes French Impressionism, focusing on mood and imagery over traditional form.
Structure and Atmosphere

The piece is in ternary form (ABA):

    Opening (A):
    A soft, flowing melody emerges over delicate arpeggios. The music feels weightless, like moonlight shimmering on water. Debussy uses rich harmonies and seventh chords to create a dreamlike quality, with a tender, introspective mood.

    Middle Section (B):
    The dynamics intensify, with fuller textures and soaring melodic lines. This section brings a sense of emotional depth and urgency, contrasting with the calm opening. Arpeggios cascade dramatically, giving the impression of moonlight suddenly brightening or revealing hidden beauty.

    Closing (A):
    The opening material returns, slightly varied, fading into a gentle, whisper-like conclusion. The piece ends as quietly as it began, leaving a sense of stillness and wonder.

Musical Features

    Harmonics: Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales, parallel chords, and non-functional harmony creates a suspended, ethereal soundscape.
    Melody: The lyrical melody floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, expressing both simplicity and emotional depth.
    Texture: Light, transparent textures alternate with moments of lush, resonant fullness, embodying the interplay of light and shadow.

Mood and Interpretation

Clair de Lune evokes the quiet magic of a moonlit night, combining serenity with subtle melancholy. Its poetic quality invites listeners to imagine moonlight reflecting on a calm lake, whispering through trees, or illuminating a tranquil landscape. The music feels timeless, blending stillness with fleeting moments of intensity.

Cultural Impact

This iconic piece has been widely used in films (Ocean’s Eleven, Twilight) and pop culture, often accompanying scenes of romance, nostalgia, or quiet reflection. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke deep emotion while remaining understated.
Performance Notes

Expressive dynamics, fluid phrasing, and careful pedaling are essential to capturing its delicate atmosphere. A balance between freedom and control ensures its dreamlike flow remains intact.

Clair de Lune is a masterpiece of impressionistic music, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners into a realm of quiet beauty and introspection.

Claude Debussy - The Essential Collection

Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune - Debussy

Carnival of the animals • The Swan(slowed)

Carnival of Animals - Swan(0.9 slowed) (Cover by Yo-yo  Ma & Kathryn Stott on YT)

NEW ALBUM, WINDS OF THE EAST (2025) IS OUT NOW!

Instagram: @shirleylymusic

Shirley Ly is a self-taught British female contemporary classical music composer from Greenwich in London, United Kingdom, with Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. She has composed over 50 pieces for solo piano / violin / cello, duets, trios, quartets and quintets. She has produced 5 albums: Winds of the East (2025), 9 Lives (2023), Paradise (2023), Blossom (2021), and Impetus (2018) and released multiple singles i.e. Olive Tree (2024), Emerald (2023), and London Strive (2023). Her music has been played around a million times across more than 100 countries around the world spanning six continents, including by BBC radio. Shirley plays the piano in all of her pieces.
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The pieces in her albums aim to capture her reflections on life experiences relating to nature (i.e., swallows' journeys to their nests, the seasons, swans), living in London, dance, relationships with family and other loved ones, travel (i.e. to Berlin, Amsterdam), and dreams. 

Winds of the East (2025) is inspired by Shirley’s Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, her grandfather who was a distinguished painter and poet in China and her recent travels in South East Asia particularly in areas of natural beauty. 

Paradise (2023) is inspired by her experiences of swimming, diving, sailing, and surfing in the ocean, and she hopes that her music can further emphasise its importance. 
 
9 Lives (2023) is inspired by the beauty, charm and mysteriousness of cats. She lives in London with her five cats, and gain a lot of inspiration from them. This album aims to raise money for animal charities in areas which need support the most.

All works are protected by copyright. Please do not use them without permission.

© Shirley Ly

Bamboo Forests 竹林 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

Shirley Ly | Classical Music Composer & Pianist