The announcement was made here by world renowned UK live events, theatre and TV choreographer Kim Gavin (pictured above second right), the artistic director for the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremonies.

The trained ballet dancer has choreographed and directed many Brit award performances, as well as the Concert for Diana and the Help for Heroes Concert, but it his work on the critically acclaimed Take That European Progress Tour (pictured below) last year, which concluded at Wembley Stadium, that is considered his most high profile achievement to date.

"Music has been Britain's strongest cultural export of the last 50 years and we intend to produce an Olympic Closing Ceremony that will be a unique promotion of great British popular music," said Gavin.


"For the Closing Ceremony, which will be titled 'A Symphony of British Music', we will not only be working with our most globally successful musicians, but we also want to use this opportunity to showcase our stars of tomorrow."

Rumoured to be amongst the cast of performers is multi-award winning artist Adele (pictured below), but Gavin and his team refused to be drawn on specific performers.

"We want it to be a surprise but you can be sure there will be some very high profile British performers involved," he said.


It was also revealed today that London 2012 has awarded the contract to record the core orchestral soundtrack for the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies to the London Symphony Orchestra (pictured below).

The Orchestra is set apart from other international orchestras by its depth of commitment to music education, reaching over 60,000 people each year.

"The London Symphony Orchestra is honoured and delighted to be the Orchestra of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies," said the managing director of the London Symphony Orchestra Kathryn McDowell.

"The London Symphony Orchestra aims to make great music available to everyone and the Olympic and Paralympic opportunity will reach people of all ages across the world.

"The experience of world sport and music brings people of all nationalities and backgrounds together with a common purpose and we are thrilled to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies here in London."


It ensures a very British feel to the Closing Ceremony with Gavin leading a team of top British creatives putting on the show.

Last year, London 2012 revealed the appointment of Gavin along with multi-award-winning international stage and costume designer Es Devlin, who is the designer for the Olympic Closing Ceremony.

Devlin designed Lady Gaga's Monster Ball United States Tour (pictured below) and has also worked on tours for Muse, Kanye West and the Pet Shop Boys.

Meanwhile David Arnold, the composer and producer behind five James Bond films, Independence Day and Chronicles of Narnia as well as records by Dame Shirley Bassey, George Michael and the Kaiser Chiefs, is the music director for the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremonies.

The only non-British element of the Ceremony will be the handover segment when Rio de Janeiro will be given eight minutes to showcase the fact that they are the next Olympic Host City.

The rest of the Closing Ceremony will be overseen by Stephen Daldry, the London 2012 Ceremonies executive producer and director of big screen hits such as Billy Elliot and The Reader.


"The London 2012 Ceremonies are an opportunity to promote the UK's world leading culture and creative industries to over four billion people around the world so we're delighted that one of British music is playing such a key role," he said.

Daldry refused to divulge how much is being spent on the event other than to say that Gavin will control a "substantial amount" of the £81 million ($127 million/€97 million) budget that has been made available for the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Daldry also revealed that William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, which will be the inspiration for the Opening Ceremony, will be featured at the Closing Ceremony.

Gavin added that he has also started talks with Rio 2016, who will perform an eight-minute segment highlighting the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics during the Closing Ceremony.

"We have only just started speaking with Rio 2016 and their artistic directors will be leading their segment but hopefully, we can expect a bit of carnival from them," he said.

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