This is easily one of Williams' best scores in several years. It is certainly his most powerful since Schindler's List. First up is the main theme, which is absolutely incredible, it is beautiful and soaring and when taken up by Ma on solo cello then followed by the full orchestral rendition, the effect is spine tingling. This is a very epic-intimate score, the balancing act Williams manages to achieve is most impressive. Unlike Schindler's List, this score has some more exciting sequences, most notably in Peter's Rescue, with growling brass and rushing harp figures that faintly recall Jaws. The Invasion isn't quite as exciting as would be expected, but I am sure the reason will be more clear when I watch the film, however. It is reminiscent of the invasion music from Empire of the Sun, although is much less full on. There are some lighter moments, Palace Invitation has a wonderful bell figure, almost Christmas like in nature. It has a celebratory feel about it. Other superb moments are when Ma is accompanied by solo piano. These are not the soppy piano figures of Alan Silvestri as in Contact, but much more emotive and powerful. The interplay between the two instruments produces an intimate, personal effect that I don't think could have been created any other way. In track 3, Leaving Ingrid, when this idea is followed by the main theme the effect, once again, is more impressive. There is a good deal of Asian flavoured music with the unbelievably low chanting that appears, funnily enough, in Ceremonial Chant. Other ethnic instruments are deployed carefully throughout much of the music and this works remarkably well.
A mention must go to Ma's excellent cello playing. He lifts the music to a level higher than I think even Williams could have expected. The quality of the playing makes even the slowest moments light up with emotion. I think I've pretty much run out of hyperbole to describe this score. I recommend this to everyone with a remote interest in film music or classical music. This is possibly Williams' most classical score, certainly comparable to Schindler's List in quality and unlike Schindler's List, this score isn't quite as downbeat and perhaps fraction more repetitive. Fortuntely any slower sections are lifted by Ma's remarkable playing. Definitely a score that no Williams fan should be without, if only to hear the fascinatingly beautiful main theme.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 65:44