Karda Estra is the studio project of composer Richard Wileman which was started in 1998. The music generally tends to be instrumental (sometimes with additional wordless/choral vocal textures by Ileesha Bailey). Richard plays several instruments including guitars, bass, keys, percussion, bazouki and rastrophone as well as experimenting with other sonic textures. The sound is heavily augmented by several regular classical musicians adding oboe, cor anglais, flute, violin, viola, cello, saxophones, trumpet, cello etc.
CD's have included several concept albums like 'Eve' released in 2001.Inspired by the short novel 'The Future Eve', written in 1886 by Villiers de L'Isle Adam, it tells the story of the 'world-famed inventor and master electrician Professor X', who creates a 'perfect' mate for his disturbed friend Lord Ewald.
2003's 'Constellations' took a tour of the stars and included a cover version of the Steve Hackett piece 'Twice Around The Sun'. 'Voivode Dracula', released in 2004, painted portraits and scenes from the famous Bram Stoker novel. The rest of the albums have included (amongst other things) soundtrack pieces and music inspired by Surrealist paintings.
Michael Ezzo of Expose' writes:
...a unique chamber music which blends seamlessly electronics with the acoustic orchestral instruments, into a colour-filled portrait, rich in dramatic flair and cinematic mood. ... There is nobody else in the prog field I can think of competing with Karda Estra....'
Members:
Richard Wileman
Composer, producer, electric, classical and bass guitars, keyboards, percussion, drums, bouzouki, rastrophone and various other colours.
Musicians 1998 - present:
Ileesha Bailey - vocals, Zoe Josey - flute, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, Caron Hansford - oboe, cor anglais, bassoon, Helen Dearnley - violin, Louise Hirst - trumpet, Rachel Larkins - viola, violin, Michelle Williams - clarinet, Sarah Higgins - cello.
Biography courtesy of Richard Wileman
CD discography:
A Winter In Summertime (1998)
Thirteen From The Twenty First (2000)
The Land Of Ghosts (2000)
Eve (2001)
Equilibrium (2002 - collaboration with Artemiy Artemiev)
The Land Of Ghosts Volume 2 (2002)
Constellations (2003)
Voivode Dracula (2004)
Alternate History (2004)
The Age Of Science And Enlightenment (2006)
Further information (including a free 10 track mp3 album DOWNLOAD) at:
