The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games is more than just a formal start to the competitions; it is a grand spectacle that sets the tone for the entire event. Central to this spectacle is music, which plays a crucial role in creating an atmosphere of celebration, unity, and national pride. Throughout the history of the modern Olympics, some of the world’s most famous composers have contributed to these ceremonies, crafting pieces that resonate in the moment and leave a lasting impact on Olympic history.
Spyridon Samaras and the Olympic Anthem
In 1896, the French baron Pierre de Coubertin and the delegates from the entire world set up the renewal of the Ancient Olympic Games. After this solemn assembly in the Grand Amphithéatre of the Sorbonne University, the first modern Games were held the same year in Athens. For this premiere, the Greek composer Spyridon Samaras was asked to write an Olympic Hymn that would be played at every opening ceremony. The choice of Samaras came as he was the most prominent Greek composer at the time, who studied in Paris (with Jules Massenet) and wrote operas in Italy.
The lyrics for the hymn were written by Greek poet Kostis Palamas, one of the most revered literary figures of his time. The hymn was performed during the opening ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games on April 6, 1896, at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The Olympic Hymn is grand and ceremonial, with a strong sense of solemnity and reverence. The music is composed in a classical tradition, with a majestic melody that echoes the grandeur of the ancient Greek past.
Richard Strauss and the 1936 Berlin Olympics: Music in the Service of Controversy
The 1936 Berlin Olympics, often referred to as the “Nazi Olympics,” were marked by significant political undertones, as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime sought to use the Games as a platform to showcase their ideology. Among these controversial circumstances, music played an important role. Nazi authorities invited renowned composer Richard Strauss to contribute to the Opening Ceremony. By the 1930s, Strauss was already an established figure in the world of classical music, known for having composed masterpieces such as Also sprach Zarathustra and Der Rosenkavalier. Strauss was appointed as the president of the Reichsmusikkammer (Reich Music Chamber) in 1933, a position that placed him at the intersection of art and the Nazi state’s cultural policy. Although Strauss was not a member of the Nazi Party, his willingness to work with the regime has been viewed by many as problematic, particularly given the regime’s exploitation of his music for propaganda purposes.
The 1936 Berlin Olympics were carefully orchestrated by the Nazi regime to serve as a propaganda tool, presenting an image of a peaceful, prosperous, and united Germany. Music was central to this presentation, and Richard Strauss was invited to compose and conduct the Olympic Hymn (Olympische Hymne), which he wrote for the Games’ Opening Ceremony. The “Olympische Hymne” was a grand and solemn piece, reflecting the ceremonial gravitas that the Nazis wanted to convey. The lyrics, penned by German writer Robert Lubahn, praised the ideals of Olympism but were also steeped in German nationalism. Strauss conducted the hymn during the Opening Ceremony on August 1, 1936, in the presence of Hitler and a vast audience at the newly constructed Olympiastadion in Berlin.
🥇Gold medal: John Williams at LA 1984, Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake City 2002
One of the most iconic names associated with Olympic music is John Williams, the legendary American composer known for his work on film scores like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. Williams is a sort of an Olympic champion and a record-setter with four Olympic Games. He was commissioned to compose the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” for the 1984 Los Angeles Games. With its bold brass and sweeping melodies, this piece perfectly captured the grandeur and excitement of the Olympics. It has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of Olympic music, often played at subsequent Games and other sports events, symbolizing the spirit of competition.
For the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Williams was again called upon to compose a piece for the Games. This time, he created “Olympic Spirit,” a work that carried the same sense of triumph and inspiration as his earlier composition but was more lyrical and reflective. “Olympic Spirit” was used extensively in NBC’s television coverage of the Games, providing a backdrop for the broadcast of the events.
John Williams returned to the Olympics once again in 1996, this time composing a piece for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. Titled “Summon the Heroes,” this composition was created to celebrate 100 years of the modern Olympic Games. The piece is grand and ceremonious, with powerful brass fanfare and orchestral movements, paying tribute to the athletes who compete on the world stage. “Summon the Heroes” was performed at the opening ceremony in Atlanta and became the official theme of the Games.
Williams made his debut at the Winter Olympics in 2002 when he was commissioned to compose the official theme for the Salt Lake City Winter Games. Titled “Call of the Champions,” this piece features a grand choral arrangement and orchestral backing, with the choir repeating the Latin phrase “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (the Olympic motto, meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger”). The piece was met with widespread acclaim for its powerful nature, continuing the tradition of Williams’ Olympic music being synonymous with the Games’ spirit of unity and excellence.
🥈Silver medal: David Foster in Calgary 1988, Atlanta 1996, and Salt Lake City 2002
David Foster, the renowned Canadian musician, composer, and producer, participated in three different Olympic Games. One of Foster’s most memorable contributions to the Olympic Games came during the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary, Canada. He composed the official theme song for the Games, titled “Winter Games.” This instrumental track became an iconic piece of Olympic music, known for its energetic and rhythmic melodies of a piano solo that perfectly captured the excitement and drama of the Winter Games.
David Foster’s influence extended to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, where he co-wrote and produced one of the most famous Olympic songs, “The Power of the Dream,” performed by Céline Dion during the opening ceremony. The song, which Foster co-wrote with Linda Thompson and Babyface, became a global anthem, embodying the themes of hope, determination, and the pursuit of excellence that are central to the Olympic spirit.
Lastly, Foster wrote Light the Fire Within, the official theme song of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The song was co-written by David Foster (music) and Linda Thompson (lyrics) and performed by LeAnn Rimes. It carries a message of perseverance, inspiration, and inner strength—qualities that resonate with the Olympic spirit. The lyrics emphasize overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness, which aligns perfectly with the athletes’ journeys to the Olympics.
🥉Bronze medal: Mikis Theodorakis in Barcelona 1992 and Athens 2004
Mikis Theodorakis, one of Greece’s most revered composers, is best known for his musical “Zorba the Greek”. As his compatriote Spyridon Samaras, Theodorakis studied in Paris in the 1950s and lived there in exile twenty years later. He was a composer and a political activist known for his resistance during the military dictatorship in Greece. His music often reflects his political ideals, blending traditional Greek sounds with messages of social justice, peace, and unity. Up to the 1990s, he had a great international career, having his works played all over Europe and the world. In 1992, Juan Antonio Samaranch asked him to compose a piece for the Opening ceremony of the Olympics in Barcelona.
That’s how the Canto Olympico was born. It is a large-scale choral and orchestral work characterized by its grandeur, lyrical beauty, and powerful emotional resonance. It is written in Theodorakis’ distinctive style, combining classical orchestration with elements of Greek folk music and modern harmonies. The composition features a chorus, soloists, and a full orchestra, creating an uplifting atmosphere.
Given Theodorakis’s immense cultural influence in Greece and abroad, the 2004 Athens Olympics could not go without his music. In both ceremonies, the music from “Zorba the Greek” was played: Sta Pervolia in the opening and the famous Dance of Zorba in the closing. The traditional sound is very much present, from buzuki (instrument) to the sirtaki (dance).
Philip Glass and Lightning the Torch: Los Angeles 1984 and Athens 2004
Another great contemporary composer was involved in the Los Angeles Games opening ceremony. Philip Glass, known for his minimalist style of music, composed a piece for an event that ended the ceremony: the Lightning of the Olympic Flame. The piece called The Olympian: Lighting of the Torch is built around repetitive musical structures. It’s gradually evolving and increasing in intensity, which lends itself perfectly to the slow, ceremonial nature of the torch lighting. The music mirrors the anticipation and build-up of excitement as the flame is passed from one torchbearer to another, culminating in the climactic moment when the cauldron is ignited.
Twenty years later, when the Games returned to its home country Greece, Philip Glass composed another Olympic piece. This time it was for the Cultural Olympiad, an event organized a few weeks before the actual Games. The piece called Orion is one of Glass’s most ambitious and global projects. It is composed in collaboration with musicians from different countries and cultural traditions. Named after the constellation, Orion reflects an intention to explore themes of universality, connection, and shared human experience. The composition has multiple movements, each highlighting a specific musical tradition. The featured performers came from various parts of the world and played their traditional instruments. Famous Ravi Shankar (from India) played on sitar, Wu Man from China on an erhu, and Aboriginal musician Mark Atkins from Australia, performed on a didgeridoo.
Tan Dun and Beijing 2008
The 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony was an incredible display of China’s cultural heritage and its emergence as a global power. The so-called “logo music”, used also for the medal ceremonies, was composed by Tan Dun. This Chinese composer is known for his work on the Oscar-winning score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Dun’s music for the Olympics was a stunning blend of traditional Chinese instruments with Western orchestral arrangements. His composition reflected the theme of “One World, One Dream,” embodying the Olympic ideals of unity and diversity. The music was both epic and intimate, capturing the grandeur of the event while also highlighting the nuances of Chinese culture. It was especially heard and noticed during all eight of Michael Phelps’ gold medal award ceremonies.
Leonard Bernstein and the other Olympic Hymn
In 1981, Leonard Bernstein composed an Olympic Hymn, a work that stands as a significant contribution to the cultural and musical history of the Olympic Games. This piece is a commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 1981 International Olympic Congress in Baden-Baden, Germany. It is a choral and orchestral work imbued with the grandeur and solemnity appropriate for such a globally significant event. The music is characterized by its sumptuous and lively tone, combining Bernstein’s signature harmonic language with the traditional elements of an anthem.
Victor Le Masne and Paris 2024: The Parade
Paris Summer Olympics 2024 used as the official song the music of French composer Victor Le Masne. His piece Parade combines the traditional grandeur of orchestral music with modern electronic elements. It has a strong, driving rhythm with a pulse that shifts between dynamic, syncopated beats and steadier, more ceremonial tempos. While “Parade” has a strong and simple melodic theme that makes it accessible, it’s layered with complex harmonies and textures that give it depth. This music covered the entire Olympics: the opening, closing, and medal ceremonies.
Finally, Céline Dion appeared for the second time at the Olympics, closing the Summer Paris Games 2024 Opening ceremony. Her touching interpretation of the L’hymne à l’amour (The Love Hymn) of Edith Piaf, up from the Eiffel Tower, with Paris and Seine river as a podium, marked the spectators from all over the world.
