The Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) is one of only a few museums in the world dedicated to the art, history, and science of motion pictures. It’s must-see on the East coast as is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on the West coast.
Not surprisingly, Dimitri Tiomkin and his music make appearances at both.
READ: Tiomkin at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
MOMI is located in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios, now Kaufman Astoria Studios, in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City.
Kaufman Astoria Studios
Museum of the Moving Image
“Music,” includes an interactive display in which guests can select from a number of disparate tracks to show how adding music to a film scene enhances atmosphere, shapes the viewer’s emotional response, and deepens the storytelling beyond what visuals alone can convey. The six scenes are from six classic or popular films: Independence Day, Twister, Casino, Punch Drunk Love, High Noon, and Vertigo. For High Noon, guests can first watch the suspenseful “Miller Gang Hits Town” sequence with Gary Cooper with no music accompaniment. Then it’s up to the guest to select a music track. In addition to the original soundtrack by Dimitri Tiomkin, one can “Try out music for this scene” with the “Buster Waltz,” “Sinner You’d Better Get Ready,” or “Rumble.” It’s fun to see how different music styles change the pacing and viewer experience. Unexpected and unusual music choices are fodder for discussion; however, in the end one can appreciate the music that was specifically written for the scene. In this case, the composer, Dimitri Tiomkin received an Academy Award for his dramatic music score (and music song, “Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin.”)
A tall wall of LP soundtracks will bring back musical memories from films from Gone with the Wind to Rocky. Tiomkin is represented by the soundtrack for Giant, featuring memorable music for the 1956 George Stevens film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Carroll Baker.
Film music fans may also enjoy the exhibition, “Tom Cruise Mission Impossible: Story and Spectacle,” through December 14, 2025. While the focus is on Cruise’s stunt work, as we know, stunts require dramatic music and there are a number of examples to view. The full music score for Lalo Schifrin’s “End Title” is on display.
