Swans gracefully glide across from one side to the other of a lake to find their nests to rest in at midnight. The moon glistens in the distance.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Midnight Swans by Shirley Ly | Violin and Cello Duet

Springtime blossoms,
Light pink and plum shades,
Delicate and transient,
Their sweet scents pervade.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Blossom by Shirley Ly | Violin and Cello Duet

From morning to night, the canals of Amsterdam glisten magically against the backdrop of beautifully uniform, looming, and narrow buildings. The heart dances with inspiration.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly

© SHIRLEY LY

Amsterdam by Shirley Ly | Solo Piano

The feeling of walking through the beautiful city of Berlin at dawn.

Berlin is one of my favourite cities and carries a lot of emotional weight for me - it never sleeps, it is artsy, alternative and culturally diverse.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly

© SHIRLEY LY

Dawn in Berlin by Shirley Ly | Solo Piano

A grey fog casts across London's cityscape - rain pattering and wind hissing. Despite this, we strive as in this city, there is full of opportunity.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Minsi Yang Johnson
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

London Strive - Recomposed by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

Delightful changes happen in the ocean during the Spring season. Growing coral and seaweed, blooming plankton, wandering fish, and other species.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio-Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Joys of Spring by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano

Mesmerised by the exquisite colours, movements and patterns of coral, and their importance in supporting marine life.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Cellist: Patrick Tapio-Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Corals' Soul by Shirley Ly | Cello and Piano

Where the ocean connects with the land between high and low tides. Filled with marine species well-adapted to the harshness of the environment.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio-Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Intertidal by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano

A sweet and charming octopus swims close to the seabed, swirling its tentacles. It is inquisitive, wondering what is above.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly

© SHIRLEY LY

Inquisitive Octopus by Shirley Ly | Solo Piano

Precious turtles swim gently across in the calm, crystal-clear waters.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Swimming Turtles by Shirley Ly | Violin and Cello

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 by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

Whilst the sun shines through the windows, the cats sleep tight,  dreaming about their catches at dawn.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
String Quartet: Alerion Strings with Claudia Dehnke and Flora Yeung (Violinists), John Michael Hird (Violist) and Chris Terepin (Cellist)

© SHIRLEY LY

Cats Lullaby by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

We waltz and we play
Through night and through day
With our tails entwined
We forget the day's grind

From our sleep and our slumber 
Brings insatiable hunger
To prowl and to pounce
To forget all our doubts

We waltz and we play
Through night and through day

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

© SHIRLEY LY

Waltz of the Cats by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

J'adore mes chats, J'adore mes chats...

Composer: Shirley Ly
String Quartet: Alerion Strings with Claudia Dehnke and Flora Yeung (Violinists), John Michael Hird (Violist) and Chris Terepin (Cellist)

© SHIRLEY LY

J'adore Mes Chats by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

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

Intense chase at dawn through the bushes to catch a mouse. Poor mouse!

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

© SHIRLEY LY

Chase at Dawn by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

The night has come. A clowder of fun, loving and mischievous cats have come out to play and cause more mischief!

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

© SHIRLEY LY

Out to Play by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

A model cat with the best behaviour gets the most treats!

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

© SHIRLEY LY

Model Cat by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

Cats are famously curious due to their independent nature and their love for hunting. They tend to be solitary, and constantly pursues curiosity to help them find food, have fun and explore new territories.

Composer: Shirley Ly
String Quartet: Alerion Strings with Claudia Dehnke and Flora Yeung (Violinists), John Michael Hird (Violist) and Chris Terepin (Cellist)

© SHIRLEY LY

Pursuit of Curiosity by Shirley Ly | String Quartet

Pounce, one of Shirley's 5 cats, has been missing for over 6 months. Tale of a Loss Purr is a piece which conveys how much she misses him, her longing for him to return and the sweet memories shared together which will be remembered forever. Losing a pet cat, or any other pet animal, is incredibly painful. It is like losing a family member. Thoughts and prayers to all cats and animals who are suffering in the world.

Composer: Shirley Ly
String Quartet: Alerion Strings with Claudia Dehnke and Flora Yeung (Violinists), John Michael Hird (Violist) and Chris Terepin (Cellist)

© SHIRLEY LY

Tale of A Loss Purr by Shirley Ly | Piano Quintet

The feeling of loss and recovery during a relationship breakdown - everything seemed like a sweet dream...

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall

© SHIRLEY LY

Sweet Reverie

Sweet Reverie by Shirley Ly | Violin and Piano Duet

The feeling of walking through the beautiful city of Berlin at dawn. 

Berlin is one of my favourite cities and carries a lot of emotional weight for me - it never sleeps, it is artsy, alternative and culturally diverse.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall

© SHIRLEY LY

Impetus

Dawn in Berlin

Dawn in Berlin by Shirley Ly | Violin and Piano Duet

Swallows swoop in the sunset. We see their strong, deep wingbeats at a distance. A storm amounts. Clouds are thick and swallows lose their senses of direction in the darkening skies. Raindrops batter their wings. 

The clouds disperse and the swallows emerge slowly and cautiously to find their way back to their warm clay nests.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall

© SHIRLEY LY

Swallows Silhouette

Swallows Silhouette by Shirley Ly | Violin and Piano Duet

The deep sense of longing for loved ones at home expressed through a letter.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Love Letter - Part 1 by Shirley Ly | Violin and Cello Duet

Dancing on a starlit road where above, silver and neon stars blink. The air is crisp and the leaves in the distant woods flutter. Wishing twilight lasted forever.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Twilight Dance by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

Melting snow dampens the earth beneath, sunlight becomes clearer and clouds become lighter against the bluing sky. Anticipating renewal and revitalisation of life in all forms.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Spring Fantasy by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

Amber oak leaves flutter in the mellow sun. Songbirds call in the distance. Preparation for Winter begins.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Minsi Yang Johnson
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

Amber Leaves by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

Wherever we go, falling leaves always return to their roots - a saying that will always resonate with me. No matter what happens, family will always be there to provide unconditional love.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall

© SHIRLEY LY

Falling Leaves by Shirley Ly | Violin and Piano Duet

Dancing in the powdery snow, white flakes from the dark night gently kiss the skin, the flakes glitter against the stars, swirling and twirling as the feet move across the surface.

Composer: Shirley Ly
Violinists: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Waltz In The Snow by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

Constantly wandering, never settling, finding self-happiness.

Composer and Pianist: Shirley Ly
Violinist: Anya Birchall
Cellist: Patrick Tapio Johnson

© SHIRLEY LY

Vagabond's Tale by Shirley Ly | Violin, Cello and Piano Trio

NEW ALBUM, 9 LIVES - CATS CLASSICAL MUSIC 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 40 pieces for solo piano / violin / cello, duets, trios, quartets and quintets. She has produced 4 albums: 9 Lives (2023), Paradise (2023), Blossom (2021), and Impetus (2018) and released multiple singles i.e. 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, and is described to be a bridge between classical, romantic, and minimalist music with Eastern and jazz elements. She has performed her music across a variety of venues, including churches and halls, and will be performing in many more venues going forward in London and abroad. 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. 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.

She is currently working on classical and electronic music works inspired by her travels in Southeast Asia.

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

© Shirley Ly

Popular tracks by Shirley Ly | Classical Music Composer and Pianist