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

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

Plum Blossoms 梅花 by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

Shirley Ly | Classical Music Composer & Pianist