With the Olympic Games over for another 4 years, I thought it would be nice to reminisce about the music we have heard played at the Games & the role behind it. 

There have been various pieces which have been composed especially for the games over the years, but today I’d like to explore the ‘Olympic Fanfare & Theme’ composed by John Williams, for the 1984 Olympics, as well as ‘Parade’ composed by Victor le Masne for these current Paris Games.

The role of music at the Olympics

Let’s first take a look at how music is typically used in the Games. After some research, I’ve generally found the music can be found in 3 key roles:

1. Ceremonial Use: These commissioned pieces are typically heard during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies - to help enhance the overall grandeur and 'sense of occasion' as well as to help make the event more memorable.

One of my favourite moments that I love looking back on is the London 2012 Opening Ceremony where Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) is playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Simon Rattle and performing ‘Chariots of Fire’. I was a big fan of Mr Bean growing up, so the comedic aspect as well as the music itself, I think, works perfectly.

2. Television Broadcasts: Music commissioned for the event like John Williams’ Fanfare are used extensively in television broadcasts, giving a recognizable and consistent identity to the games.

Another example, this time for Formula 1 Racing would be Brian Tyler’s Formula 1 Theme.

3. Cultural Expression: Host countries will also use their own local music from their cultures into the ceremonies to showcase their cultural heritage, adding a unique flavour to each Olympics.

John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme"

John Williams, was commissioned to compose a piece for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The result was his 'Olympic Fanfare and Theme', which was first performed in the Olympic Opening Ceremony that year.

In interviews he has described how the piece was inspired by the Olympic values of unity, competition, and global cooperation.
He also intended the piece to musically represent “the spirit of cooperation, of heroic achievement, all the striving and preparation that go before the events and all the applause that comes after them.”

Williams also aimed to highlight the Ceremonial aspect of the Olympics and so tried to combine traditional fanfare elements with a more lyrical melody.

During the Games, the Fanfare and Theme is frequently heard on various television broadcasts, especially in the US, alongside being featured in various ceremonies and other promotional materials.

The piece has been recorded by several major Orchestras and remains one of John Williams' most famous compositions outside of his film work - and definitely one of my favourite pieces of his!

Below is a link to a video where the YouTuber Patrick Suiter has produced an extremely useful musical analysis of the Fanfare and Theme:

Notable Musical Moments of the Fanfare and Theme

Unison String Writing

Once the opening section of the Fanfare concludes, Williams' presents new melodic material - a much more lyrical and calming melody. Despite the usual complexity in William's Orchestral writing, it was interesting to see that sometimes all you need is almost all of the strings (and Horns) playing a melodic line in unison. A clear reminder that simple is often the best way! Check out 1:02 in the linked video.

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Use of Canonic Writing

A Canon is a form of counterpoint where a melody is imitated or repeated straight away in another voice/instrument. Williams makes use of the Canon technique during the 2nd time through his Olympic Melody, presumably to add some melodic variation on the 2nd playing. Played initially in the Horns, Trombones 1 & 2, Bass Clarinet and Bassoon, the figure is then repeated in the high Woodwinds immediately afterwards. William's then goes back and forth throughout the melodic section (Starting at 1:59 in the video).

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Paris 2024 - ‘Parade’ by Victor le Masne

French Composer and Producer Victor le Masne, the Musical Director for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, was given the opportunity to write the theme for the Paris 2024 Olympics after creating a new version of the French National Anthem for the 2020 Closing Ceremony in Tokyo.

Featuring a fusion between classical orchestral and electronic elements, the theme has a contemporary up-beat feel, portraying the energy and excitement of the modern games. While preparing this newsletter I came across an article about Victor and his music for the Games, which I've shared an excerpt of below. Music really does connect us all despite our backgrounds, language, culture etc. and the Games really does highlight this inclusivity as well.

‘When I composed ‘Parade’, I aimed to create a composition that resonates universally, encapsulating the values of the Olympics – generosity, inclusivity, and sincerity. The title ‘Parade’ draws inspiration from diverse sources, reflecting the multifaceted nature of my music. There are striking parallels between classical music and athletics – discipline, improvisation, and the pursuit of excellence bind these worlds. Witnessing the dedication of musicians mirrors the journey of athletes striving for mastery in their craft.

There are of course other notable pieces that I could mention, including 'Bugler's Dream', composed by Leo Arnaud. Although the piece wasn't specifically written for the Olympics, it was instead picked by the American Broadcast Association to accompany their Olympic Television Coverage from the 1964 Tokyo games.

(Interestingly, 'Bugler's Dream' is often combined seamlessly with Williams' Olympic Fanfare and Theme')