The Harry Potter films have had a wonderful diversity of composers throughout the series.  The franchise kicked off with John Williams (and now it's hard to imagine Harry Potter without "Hedwig's Theme"), and moved on to Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and now acclaimed composer Alexandre Desplat.  Desplat's diverse body of work includes the scores for Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Syriana, New Moon, and plenty more.  He was recently named "Composer of the Year" at the 10th Annual World Soundtrack Awards.  I'm excited to hear where he takes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.

Hit the jump for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the score for the film.  The soundtrack will be available to purchase on November 16th as a standard or limited edition.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 opens November 19th.

Here's a press release regarding the soundtrack:

WATERTOWER MUSIC ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 16 RELEASE DATE FOR THE SOUNDTRACK TO

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 1

LIMITED EDITION SOUNDTRACK COLLECTOR’S SET ALSO UNVEILED

BURBANK, CA, October 27, 2010 – WaterTower Music is excited to announce the release of the original motion picture soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, the latest installment of the Harry Potter film franchise. The album will be available everywhere Tuesday, November 16.  Featuring 26 compositions by Golden Globe winner and Oscar- and Grammy Award-nominated composer Alexandre Desplat, the soundtrack provides the listener with over 70 minutes of new music from the film. All fans who purchase the CD will also receive a free download of the entire soundtrack in 5.1 Surround Sound Audio.

Additionally, a special limited collector’s edition of the soundtrack will be made available. Each numbered collector’s set features the full soundtrack, a bonus CD with extra music, an exclusive poster, picture disc vinyl, a DVD including video interviews and the soundtrack in 5.1 Surround Sound Audio, original Harry Potter film cells, autographed sheet music, and a numbered certificate of authenticity. This special set will be made available at retail stores in time for Christmas and is available by pre-order now at online retail. More details are available at www.deathlyhallowssoundtrack.com.

Desplat composed the captivating score, which was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at the famed Abbey Road Studios. “I’m thrilled to be involved with the magical world of Harry Potter,” declared the composer. “It’s an extraordinary story of extraordinary people, which allows me to play with a world of extraordinary sounds.”

Alexandre Desplat is a three-time Academy Award^® nominee for his scores for Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Queen.  He also won a Golden Globe Award for The Painted Veil.  His additional work includes the scores to Twilight Saga: New Moon, Julie & Julia, Syriana and Birth.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, which opens nationwide on Friday, November 19, begins the seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series, the much-anticipated motion picture event to be told in two full-length parts. Part 2 opens nationwide on July 15, 2011.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films Production, a David Yates Film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. The film is directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron, and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the book by Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.  It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.