All contemporary classical music works composed by Shirley Ly from albums, Winds of the East, 9 Lives, Paradise, Blossom, Impetus, and more! Available on other platforms i.e. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and many more.

All Contemporary Classical Music Works by Shirley Ly, UK female classical composer from London

Daily Drops

Birds sing in their hundreds and thousands,
The calls from golden cages cannot be compared to the sounds of freedom heard from the emerald forests.

This piece is about freedom, a fundamental human right, and was inspired by my solo travels in Vietnam where I gained deeper insights into the brutality of the French occupation and the Vietnam War. I really admire the Vietnamese people's resilience, strength and unity. Vietnam has many lush, emerald forests filled with singing birds. The forests line many limestone mountains, on land and in the sea. 

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinists: Charlie Brookes, Susanna Griffin
Violist: John Michael Hird
Cellist: Chris Terepin

© SHIRLEY LY

Emerald 翠 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

Obstruction

Darksoft 'Grayscale' album released on Spirit Goth Records [SG63]
→ https://sg63.fanlink.to/darksoft-grayscale

🎸  Darksoft
→ https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pD33SUgX5GQ8NvqZ6IdeE?si=ihAAhDlbTyano8PrskzT2g
→ https://instagram.com/darks0ft

Grayscale

Listen / Stream

Darksoft - Bubblegum

YOU STILL LOVE HER

يتغيَّرُ حينَ أُحِبُّك ، شكلُ الكرة الأرضيَّهْ.. تتلاقى طُرق العالم فوق يديْك

Cats' paws are empowered to not only run and jump, groom, communicate etc. but also to make tasty, tasty biscuits!

Composer: Shirley Ly
String Quartet: Alerion Strings with Charlie Brookes and Susanna Griffin (Violinists), John Michael Hird (Violist) and Chris Terepin (Cellist)

© SHIRLEY LY

Empowered Paws by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

In China, Vietnam and other countries, the lotus symbolises purity and commitment where it rises above the muddy waters – we can all learn from this flower. The lotus is Vietnam’s national flower.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Susanna Griffin

© SHIRLEY LY

Blooming Lotus 莲花盛开 by Shirley Ly | Violin and Piano

Plum blossoms blush in winter’s snow
A burst of purple where cold winds blow
In the land, their petals shine, 
A touch of spring in frosty time. 


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

© SHIRLEY LY

Plum Blossoms 梅花 by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

On top of the mountain peaks, spirits dwell
In mist and stone, their stories swell
Sacred mountains, old and wise
Whispering truths beneath the sky.

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

© SHIRLEY LY

Sacred Mountains 圣山 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

Benevolence by Shirley Ly | PIano Quintet

NEW EP, BENEVOLENCE (2025) AND 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 an EP: Benevolence (2025), and 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

Empowered Paws by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

Shirley Ly | Classical Music Composer & Pianist