The more I listen to this score, the more striking is the gentle and tender nature of the music, Williams really aiming to find the humane essence of the man, finding it more in the reserved yet warm pensive moods for smaller ensemble than trying to glorify or score the icon he has become with grand posturing gestures. Undeniably there are a few of these bigger moments on the album but the general feel of this score is gentle simplicity. A good portion of the praise has to go also to the truly expressive and beautifully emotional soloist writing and most of all performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra members. In their playing even the pauses between the notes come alive.
