 Williams chose to use different families and types of instruments to convey and evoke certain tones within the score . String instruments were chosen to provide a warm sound , brass instruments were utilized for " solemn " sections of the pieces , and horn instruments were used to give off a pensive tone . Military drums were used largely in the piece entitled " Hymn to the Fallen . " The Tanglewood Festival Chorus provided a vocal chorus for " Hymn to the Fallen " that served as a memory to those who have fallen in combat . " Hymn to the Fallen " and its reprise are the only two tracks that feature any sort of vocals and bookend the album . Spielberg chose to place " Hymn to the Fallen " on the closing credits because it will " stand the test of time and honor forever the fallen of this war and possibly all wars " and felt it showed Williams ' " sensitivity and brilliance . " The album was released on July 21 , 1998 . 
