Ilan Eshkeri is a composer whose work centres on the expression of emotional narrative through evolving musical forms. His compositions are crafted from melodies that shift perspective through harmonic and rhythmic layering, allowing emotional states or trajectories to be discovered and evolved.
He trained classically on the violin from an early age and later taught himself electric guitar. He studied music and English literature at the University of Leeds. His synaesthesia, through which sound and colour are perceived together, informs his aesthetic.
Eshkeri has developed a body of work across live performance, theatre, ballet, film, television and video games. His concert works have been presented in major cultural settings including the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Tuileries Gardens of the Louvre, and New York City Center.
His work for film, television and interactive media includes cult films such as Layer Cake and Stardust, while the musical language of Coriolanus contributed to a broader shift in contemporary scoring approaches. His interactive work includes The Sims, a cultural phenomenon whose scale and longevity have made its music influential within contemporary pop music.
Eshkeri’s approach also extends into songwriting, crafting music, lyrics and production with artists such as Coldplay, Muse, David Gilmour and Annie Lennox. This has led to hit songs including Take That’s Rule the World and Every Day Feels Like Summer.
Eshkeri’s work has been recognised through major international awards and nominations, including the Emmy, BAFTA and Ivor Novello Awards.