The Music from E.T. is a a return to the classical Hollywood score. Instead of using popular pre-existing music, an odd combination of only a few instruments, or extreme dissonance, E.T. uses a full orchestra. One could also recognize that E.T.'s score was composed by the same man who composed the Star Wars score, John Williams, because in several scenes they sound very similar.
Throughout the movie the music is most often whimsical and childlike, characterized by many woodwinds to emphasize innocence. I was not able to pick up on noticeable leitmotifs, but there was most definitely a theme, and it is varied throughout the film. The first time we hear this E.T. theme is when Elliot looks out the window. The whimsy of the music represents the way in which E.T. symbolizes wonder and childhood innocence.
In addition to the more magical aspects of the theme, it is also used to convey sadness and tragedy, such as during the death scene, and also to convey fear, such as in the scenes in which Keys and the Federal Agents are chasing after E.T.
The most memorable scene from E.T. is the scene in which the children ride bicycles which E.T. then makes fly. The music is a full orchestral bicycle theme, one that is easily recognized as one of the most famous in all movie music.
I agree with you that Williams referred back to the Classic Hollywood score. I found it especially interesting to listen to the music related to the outer space scenes and extra-terrestrials. Previously we have heard eerie, dissonant noises and new-age instruments in relation to these scenes, but this film was different in its full, orchestral, classic sound.
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