A beautiful, calm, and romantic cue, ‘A Close Friend’ is the first full exposition of the ‘Love Theme’ orchestrated stunningly for strings and voices. The infamous melody is for the most part conjunct, with diatonic harmony employed so as not to distract from the beauty of the melody. Howard’s use of suspensions here is masterful and is what makes this theme so gorgeous.

The theme continues, with a slightly fuller orchestration, but doesn’t fully reveal itself, as we decrescendo and end on an imperfect cadence midway through a phrase, owing to Frank sensing danger and this touching moment being cut short.