Sony Music Masterworks release the soundtrack to the movie The Fabelmans, by five-time Academy Award winner John Williams. Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a cinematic memory of the forces, and family, that shaped the filmmaker’s life and career. A universal coming-of-age story about an isolated young man’s pursuit of his dreams, the film is an exploration of love, artistic ambition, sacrifice and the moments of discovery that allow us to see the truth about ourselves, and our parents, with clarity and compassion...

Every time a score is released by John Williams in recent years, I always listen to it with a heavy heart. I sigh deeply, feeling grateful that the maestro is still working and bringing us wonderfully emotive music. But a little bit of me worries that this could be his last. At the time of this release the great man is 90 years of age, but his music still has a youthful energy that is hard not to instantly fall in love with.

Almost everyone alive will have grown up hearing Williams's music as the soundtrack to many of their favourite films. For me, it was hearing his work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, that introduced me to the rich and varied world of soundtrack releases in the '80s. And who can forget his incredible scores for the original Star Wars trilogy?

The first thing to note about the music for The Fabelmans is how similar the main theme is to Williams's work on both Saving Private Ryan and War Horse. Now that's no criticism, as both of those soundtracks are incredible and certainly worth adding to any soundtrack collector's music library.

This is such a lovingly crafted album of themes that it's certainly up there with his greatest work.

The soundtrack marks the latest collaboration between Spielberg and Williams, whose longstanding creative partnership spans nearly 50 years and 30 films. From E.T., Jaws and Jurassic Park to Schindler’s List, Lincoln and Saving Private Ryan, Williams and Spielberg’s collaborations have produced some of the most iconic and well-recognized music in film history.

Talking about the score, Spielberg says: "The Fabelmans marks the 50th year of John reshaping my stories through his music – this time for the most personal film I have ever made. John knew my parents well and loved introducing them to the orchestra during our scoring sessions, which made my Dad so proud, and left my Mom beaming. He wrote this score as a gift to them and, when he first previewed it for me on his Steinway, I knew he had made this his most personal gift to me as well. Thank you, Maestro."

Williams adds: "Composing the score for The Fabelmans was a particular joy for me, given the personal nature of the film and its depiction of characters who seem to be so closely associated with Steven Spielberg’s own childhood and family. Over many years, I knew and greatly admired Steven’s parents, and I was always very impressed by his mother Leah’s musical talent. This is a truly special film, so lovingly directed by Steven and featuring a touching and very personal screenplay by Steven and the always-brilliant Tony Kushner. I’m honoured to have played a small part in the making of this film."

I probably loved this a little more than I should have, mainly because it's a new album from my childhood (and adult) favourite composer. If he retires after this release then he'll certainly be bowing out on a high.

10

Darren Rea