Yes, the Rhino set plus the Charles Gerhardt re-recording with the National Philharmonic.
The Gerhardt re-recording is an excellent excerpt presentation of the score in good sound. If there is a caveat, it is that is lacks all the choral passages (but the Rhino set obviously has those).
It's not definitive by any means, but I rather enjoy the lesser-known Muir Mathieson version with the Sinfonia of London:
This is my favorite also. It has less of the period source music and more score. Also the last half minute was used for the WOR 9 "Million Dollar Movie" theme in New York in the 70's and 80's. It's beautiful.
"Million Dollar Movie" originated with WOR-TV in 1954. They had films from the RKO library, which they would repeat every night for a week. KING KONG and THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII were highlights for youngsters. I believe the logo was a movie slate shown against the city's nocturnal skyline. The music became familiar to us long before we encountered GWTW in the 1961 or 1967 reissues.
This is my recreation of the opening I grew up with.
Thank you, Ray. I know we've got a few of these legendary growing up in or near the Big Apple threads but it never gets tiresome. Can hear the 4:30 Movie and see the old camera spinning as I type.
