Orchestra to record Elbow's BBC Olympic Theme

• The theme will be played throughout the London 2012 games across the BBC

  

  Multi-award-winning band Elbow will provide the soundtrack to the Olympic year on the BBC with a specially commissioned piece of music, which will be recorded by the BBC Philharmonic at their new studio at MediaCityUK Salford.

  The specially commissioned theme tune will be used across 2,500 hours of the BBC’s Olympic content in 2012. The music is being kept closely under wraps, but was described by the band as a "noble anthem".

  Elbow lead singer Guy Garvey said: “We are knocked out to be involved and it's been quite a challenge. We have feelings of real responsibility as we will be the soundtrack to so many images of personal sacrifice and endeavour while the nation roots for and celebrates with Team GB.”

  The BBC also announced its range of programming to both complement and share London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad content across the UK in 2012.

  Mark Thompson, BBC Director General, said: “The next year promises to be one of the most significant in recent memory and the BBC will play an integral part in bringing all of the key moments for the whole UK. Our ongoing commitment to original arts and music is reflected in the rich content that the BBC and our partners have produced for the London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad, something of which we're immensely proud.”

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