Here he returns to the Jazz-Based-Style that defined his early career. The result is a pleasant if unremarkable score that, in terms of strucure and overall mood, could very well be one of his late Concept Albums. The only thing that sets it apart from 'Eternal Echoes' and 'The Beyondness of Things' are the recurring themes that weave in and out of the material without brealing the calm, pleasant mood full of reflection that defines this score more than any other of his late works. There are cues based entirely on the suble use of the orchestra and cues that use the Jazz-Material to good effects (mostly with the strings in the background). Only the last track gives us a glimpse of Barrys full orchestral beauty with the usual echoing sound that is typical for his great themes.
I particulary like the theme used in Track 03 'Game of Hide and Seek' and Track 09 'Marks Graveyard Site'.
In terms of mood and intrumentation 'Playing by heart' is slightly similar to Clint Eastwoods 'Millon Dollar Baby', although it is of course more impressive on the orchestral side. The film is of a type that didnt needed more than a calm, pleasant mood piece as score and Barry more than excels in his task giving the movie exaclty what it needed.