Most people associate Hans Zimmer with big and bold scores. I mean how can they not when you hear his work like The Dark Knight trilogy, Pirates Of The Caribbean or Inception. Hans knows how to involve a score in the storytelling better than most composers, which is why I was beyond ecstatic when it was announced he would score Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave. In his last film, Steve McQueen had composer Harry Escott essentially copy Hans Zimmer’s track “Journey To The Line” from The Thin Red Line for the track “Unraveling” in Shame. Was it a blatant copy of the temp track? Absolutely. Did it work for the scene? Absolutely. Last year I jumped at the opportunity to see a focus group screening of 12 Years A Slave here in Los Angeles as Steve McQueen is one of my favorite directors. People in the industry aren’t supposed to attend these screenings, but I won’t tell if you won’t. Anyway, this was early 2013, maybe March or April. I don’t know if Hans was attached at this point, but the entire temp score of the film was Hans Zimmer’s music. In my head I wondered how amazing it would be if Hans would actually score the film. Fast forward a couple of months and here we have one of the best scores of the year. Also, the theatrical trailer for 12 Years A Slave uses “Journey To The Line”, so it looks like Steve McQueen got to use the real piece after all.
So, we know Hans as a composer whose music is fairly prominent in the films he composes. Which is why it’s amazing to see how reserved he needed to be with this film. The story is an amazing human journey, and one that isn’t easy to watch. The film will really force you to watch how terrible humans can be to one another, but the point of the film isn’t to say “slavery is bad”. This is the physical and emotional journey of Solomon Northup as he’s wrongfully sold into slavery where it would take him 12 years to gain his freedom. Hans’ approach is to stay small and simple, and honestly that is the score pretty much summed up.
The music is comparable to the flame of a candle that burns brightly, but is still fragile enough that it could be easily blown out. The score doesn’t hold your hand, it doesn’t tell you what to feel and it more or less stays in the background. Only during the boat trip scene does the score actually become brash and harsh. The rest of the score echoes one simple theme, which is Solomon’s theme. That theme carries despair and sadness, but it also carries hope. Hans can strip the theme down to feel naked and alone, or he can back it up with the warmth of strings to bring some light into the shadows. It truly is remarkable to see how little he needs to manipulate it to change the whole effect of it. The music at times can have a physical effect on you. In one scene during a hanging we hear this airy squeal, which is actually a saxophone. It literally makes it feel like your windpipe is closing and it affects you physically. Silence is also a huge part of the film’s soundscape, and silence is just as effective as music is in a scene. So to see where director Steve McQueen and Hans Zimmer opted for no music does become part of the scoring process, and one that can’t be experienced solely by the soundtrack alone. There is a powerfully important story here. The simple four-note motif of the score juxtaposed with the haunting beauty of the cinematography, the visceral brutality of the actions and the power of the performances make for a rigorous emotional journey.
Like all of Hans Zimmer’s scores, 12 Years A Slave strives in its simplicity. However, here you will notice how a quiet yet precise approach can evoke just as much emotion as the bolder and louder stuff. The score accompanies the film perfectly, and it never tries to steal the spotlight from the story or the performances. It exists simply as an emotional window into our protagonist, and because of that becomes a hauntingly memorable experience. It also makes it one of the best scores of the year.
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12 Years A Slave Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture
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12 Years A Slave (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
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MP3 Music, November 5, 2013
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Track Listings
| 1 | Devil's Dream - Tim Fain |
| 2 | Roll Jordan Roll - John Legend |
| 3 | Freight Train - Gary Clark Jr. |
| 4 | Yarney's Waltz - Tim Fain and Caitlin Sullivan |
| 5 | Driva Man - Alabama Shakes |
| 6 | My Lord Sunshine (Sunrise) - David Hughey and Roosevelt Credit |
| 7 | Move - John Legend feat. Fink |
| 8 | Washington - Hans Zimmer |
| 9 | (In the Evening) When the Sun Goes Down - Gary Clark Jr. |
| 10 | Queen of the Field (Patsey's Song) - Alicia Keys |
| 11 | Solomon - Hans Zimmer |
| 12 | Little Girl Blue - Laura Mvula |
| 13 | Misery Chain - Chris Cornell feat. Joy Williams |
| 14 | Roll Jordan Roll - Topsy Chapman feat. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cast |
| 15 | Money Musk - Tim Fain |
| 16 | What Does Freedom Mean (To a Free Man) - Cody ChesnuTT |
Editorial Reviews
The soundtrack to 12 YEARS A SLAVE includes music by Tim Fain, John Legend, Gary Clakre Jr., Alabama Shakes and more!
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Language : English
- Product Dimensions : 4.95 x 5.62 x 0.41 inches; 3.36 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Legacy Recordings
- Original Release Date : 2013
- Run time : 46 minutes
- Date First Available : October 14, 2013
- Label : Legacy Recordings
- ASIN : B00FQK76TC
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #121,460 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #7,785 in Soundtracks (CDs & Vinyl)
- #74,760 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
32 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 20, 2014
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 16, 2014
I gave this record a low rating not because the music was not good but because "I" did not read the advertisement accurately, and many of the songs are not part of the film but are "inspired by the motion picture." So enjoy, but set your sites a little low if you're expecting a replay of the movie sound track, which was brilliant!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 4, 2014
This was an extraordinary film but difficult to watch. This depicts a part of slavery of which most people are unaware. I was angered & appalled even though I've seen other films regarding this subject. There's no way around it. This will always be a tragedy right up until the second advent when every man will be judged. Great movie & soundtrack. Add this to your library.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 20, 2013
I am a music fan from youth and love all types of music. The music on this sound track does represent the plot of the movie, but many of the songs are not the type that your friends would like, unless they have the same love for all music. John Legend brings a solemn approach to the plight of the man who was a slave for 12 years.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 20, 2014
THIS dvd IS NOT A MOVIE. It has the MUSIC from this movie. The SELLER MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THIS DVD IS A MOVIE, BUT WHEN I OPED IT , IT WAS THE SOUND TRACK FROM THIS MOVIE. SO IF Y'ALL ARE CONSIDERING TO BUY THIS MOVIE. DO NOT GET THIS CD.
YOU WILL GET THE MUSIC FROM THE MOVIE 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
YOU WILL GET THE MUSIC FROM THE MOVIE 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stirring modern renditions of negro spirituals by Alabama Shakes/Gary Clark/John Legend
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 3, 2017
This soundtrack contains stirring modern renditions of either negro spirituals or early popular black artists. My personal favorite tracks are Gary Clark Jr's cover of "Freight Train" and Alabama Shakes' cover of "Driva Man."
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 14, 2014
Interesting and written in a different style. It's difficult to read how badly some groups of individuals can be treated.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 11, 2015
Don't really like but one song, and that is by Alicia Keyes.
Top reviews from other countries
Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars
An eclectic collection of world music
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 21, 2015
An eclectic collection of world music used in the film. If that's your thing then this is great!
Shirley Asquith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music reminds me of the film
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 23, 2014
Excellent everytime i hear it. it takes me back to the film. xx Will buy the dvd when it is released. Music great. Evokes all kinds of emotions. xx
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Cordula
5.0 out of 5 stars
Großartige Filmmusik zu einem cineastischen Meisterwerk
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on March 19, 2014
Die Filmmusik zu 12 Years a Slave ist ein wahres Meisterwerk. Gefühlvoll und emotional unterstreicht sie die Handlung des Films mal leise und eindringlich, mal laut und klagend. Streicher und Klavier spielen in einer faszinierenden Harmonie und sorgen für Gänsehaut-Momente. Absolut empfehlenswert!
Timm Reinefeld
4.0 out of 5 stars
Als es dann ankam
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on February 1, 2015
An dem Produkt und vor allem am Preis is nichts ausszusetzen. Aber es hat 2 Wochen gedauert bis es ankam.
てっちゃん
5.0 out of 5 stars
映画「それでも夜は明ける」トラック
Reviewed in Japan 🇯🇵 on September 7, 2014
映画"それでも夜は明ける"に感動し、このCDを購入しました。
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