With the film’s theatrical release set for this weekend, Columbia Records has announced that it will release a soundtrack album for the much-anticipated, much-discussed drama 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen. 

The album, set for release on November 11, 2013, will feature music from and inspired by the film, including an original score composed by Hans Zimmer, as well as on-screen violin music (as played by Solomon Northup – Chiwetel Ejiofor) written and arranged by pianist/composer Nicholas Britell, and performed by violinist Tim Fain. 

Full details to come. 

The drama boasts an impressive cast of actors, including: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ruth Negga, Adepero Oduye, Alfre Woodard, Scoot McNairy, Garret Dillahunt, Brad Pitt, Michael K. Williams, Paul Giamatti, Sarah Paulson and others. 

Fox Searchlight will open 12 Years A Slave theatrically on October 18, in a limited roll-out and will then expand nationwide in successive weeks. 

For our past coverage on the film, read Frances Bodomo’s review HERE; Jai interviewed Lupita Nyong’o HERE and Alfre Woodard HERE; I interviewed Steve McQueen HERE; and most recently, Vanessa interviewed Kelsey Scott (who plays Northop’s wife) HERE.