Yeah I got exploration out of it too, that
crescendo for me brought out that oft-repeated notion of mine of cresting a hill to see a wide open valley laying beyond
Had a little trouble making out the subtle undertones here and there, especially before and after the main crescendo. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I just couldn't make out the instrument/feel of the undertone enough to really associate it with anything. I sort of want to think of the undertone for the first half minute to be something like a bubbling creek or even rain, but dunno!
The extra percussion in either case is perfectly fine and nice IMHO