llan Eshkeri is an award-winning composer whose eclectic body of work is linked by his love of emotional narratives.
Born on April 7, 1977, in London, England, Eshkeri has gained recognition for his diverse and emotive musical compositions. His career has been marked by a wide and eclectic range of projects, each displaying his inventive talent for creating moving and evocative music. Growing up, Eshkeri was embraced by a rich multicultural heritage, with roots entwined in both Europe and the Middle East. His childhood was punctuated by the melodies and rhythms of the ‘80s and ‘90s, while his French mother, a talented pianist and dancer, introduced him to the world of classical music, nurturing his promising talents on the violin and piano. His teenage years brought with them an affinity for Grunge, and soon Eshkeri explored the realms of electric guitar, adding another layer to his burgeoning musical identity. Fascinated by the art of storytelling, Ilan went on to study Literature and Music at Leeds University.
Eshkeri’s breakthrough came with his work on the score for the 2004 film ‘Layer Cake’ directed by Matthew Vaughn. This now cult classic crime thriller marked his debut as a film composer and garnered significant attention for its unique and evocative music. His ability to blend classical orchestration with contemporary elements proved his innovative creativity and his career flourished as he collaborated with renowned filmmakers writing profoundly moving music adding depth to the emotional narrative of their movies. One of his most notable relationships is with actor/director Ralph Fiennes, and his scores for ‘Coriolanus’ (2012) and ‘The White Crow’ (2019) have been some of his most powerful and ground breaking works.
Eshkeri has also created award-winning scores for films such as ‘The Young Victoria’ and ‘Stardust,’ and video games ‘The Ghost of Tsushima’ and ‘The Sims’. He has worked with the infamous ballet dancer Sergei Polunin and the hyperreal photographer/director David LaChapelle on his 2017 ballet ‘Narcissus and Echo’, and his collaborations in the pop world stretch from Annie Lennox to Coldplay. In 2016, Eshkeri created Reliquary a choral symphonic work which reached No.1 in the classical charts, a beautiful response to Christopher Bailey’s seminal Burberry fashion show inspired by Virginia Woolfe’s Orlando. More recently, Eshkeri composed the score for the audio book adaptation of “1984” with rock legend Matt Bellamy from Muse, as well as the score for the powerful documentary ‘Super/Man the Christopher Reeve Story’, the first release from the new DC studios.
The ability to capture the emotional heart of a story through music has led to Eshkeri being sought-after for many diverse projects, including ‘Stardust’ (2007), ‘The Young Victoria’ (2009), and ‘Still Alice’ (2014), amongst others. Many of these films went on to win Oscars and BAFTAs and Eshkeri himself garnered critical acclaim and recognition by BAFTA, the Ivors and others for his work in film and television. As Eshkeri’s reputation grew, so did his desire to experiment and push musical boundaries. He ventured into creating music for video games, such as the phenomenally successful ‘The Sims’ and the BAFTA & Ivor Novello nominated ‘Ghost of Tsushima’, demonstrating his adaptability to craft interactive and immersive soundtracks.
However, Eshkeri’s talent extended beyond the realm of fiction. His work on multiple documentaries with Sir David Attenborough such as ‘A Perfect Planet’ (2021) demonstrated his ability to infuse important real-world stories with emotional resonance for the audience. Through these collaborations with Attenborough Eshkeri’s concern for climate and environmental issues grew and his desire to express this through musical projects continues.
Eshkeri’s live shows are entrancing, unique experiences. From leading an orchestra and choir against the backdrop of the acclaimed Burberry Autumn 2016 fashion show to celebrated performances at the Albert Hall, his ability to create magical musical moments is undeniable.
His most recent sold out show, ‘Space Station Earth’, last performed at the Royal Albert Hall, is an extraordinary musical voyage depicting the emotional journey of astronauts travelling to the International Space Station. Crafted with support from the European Space Agency and NASA, this six-year project (initiated by a request from astronaut Tim Peake for music to his mission video), evolved into Eshkeri creating an album and directing a unique film which sets the backdrop for the live performance. The Synth-Pop music was inspired by luminary artists Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Kraftwerk.
In the world of dance, Eshkeri has composed notable works. His inaugural ballet, in collaboration with dancer Sergei Polunin, retold the story of Narcissus and Echo with stage and costume design by David LaChapelle. Most recently, his music graced the New York City Centre, written for esteemed principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, Natalia Osipova.
There have also been various connections to the rock & pop world throughout Eshkeri’s career, having co-written the score to ‘The Snowman & The Snowdog’ (2012) with Andy Burrows of Razorlight, he has written film scores with Tim Wheeler of Ash, as well as the string arrangements for David Gilmour’s 2015 solo album, ‘On An Island’. He has shared a stage with Annie Lennox after he re-imagined her greatest hits for a performance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and his collaborative works with renowned artists include Coldplay, KT Tunstall, David Gilmour, Amon Tobin, and Take That, with whom he co-wrote the hit song “Rule the World.” He has also composed for renowned classical musicians such as pianist Lang Lang and violinist Lisa Batiashvili.
Ilan Eshkeri’s musical journey and legacy continue to unfurl, spending most his time disappearing into his studio at the bottom of his garden in North London. Eshkeri is both Dyslexic and Synaesthetic:m colours, music and patterns merge in his mind allowing him to imagine unconventional ways of approaching music in order to unlock creativity. His distinct and innovative style, blended with a profound emotional connection to human stories, ensures his compositions retain relevance and potency, testifying to the incredible ability to stir audiences worldwide.