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Event

London 2012: the Olympics and Paralympics, one year on

Has it really been a whole year since Britain's summer of sport? London 2012 boasted some of the nation's greatest achievements in the world of sports - and some incredible classical music to boot. Reminisce with a few of our favourite pictures.

  1. Olympic Opening Ceremony flags hill

    1. Nimrod at the Opening Ceremony

    The athletes arrive, the flags are unfurled on the hill, and the Union Jack is flying. And the soundtrack? Elgar's patriotic tear-jerker, Nimrod, from the Enigma Variations.

  2. Daniel Barenboim Olympic Opening Ceremony

    2. Daniel Barenboim Olympic Opening Ceremony

    Remember when Daniel Barenboim took to the stage as one of those selected to carry the Olympic flag?

  3. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    3. Daniel Barenboim carries the Olympic flag

    Pianist Daniel Barenboim carries the flag into the stadium

  4. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    4. An amazing view of the London 2012 Stadium

    The Olympic stadium is lit up during the Opening Ceremony.

  5. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    5. Mr Bean and the London Symphony Orchestra

    Remember the moment Rowan Atkinson brought the house down at the Olympics? His comic character Mr Bean joined in with the LSO for a rendition of Chariots Of Fire.

  6. Chariots of Fire Rowan Atkinson Mr Bean

    6. Chariots of Fire featuring Rowan Atkinson

    Playing the most important (and most boring?!) part in the orchestral texture, Mr Bean wasn't best pleased with his starring role in the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

  7. Simon Rattle Chariots of Fire Opening Ceremony

    7. Simon Rattle conducts Chariots of Fire

    Not one to be put off, Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO and their celebrity guest, Mr Bean, in a rendition of Chariots of Fire.

  8. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    8. Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra

    Trying desperately to keep Mr Bean in time...

  9. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    9. Lonbdon Symphony Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony

    The LSO played a brilliant - and hilarious - role at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

  10. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    10. Rowan Atkinson takes a bow

    Following his hilarious rendition of Chariots of Fire, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, Rowan Atkinson takes a bow.

  11. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    11. Fireworks over London

    A common theme throughout all the opening and closing ceremonies - dazzling firework displays.

  12. Lang Lang

    12. Lang Lang's London 2012 sprint

    It wasn't just the opening ceremony - remember the torch relays? Pianist Lang Lang carried the famous flame on its leg of the journey on 22 July 2012.

  13. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    13. London 2012 Opening Ceremony - a bird's eye view

    A different perspective on one of the greatest Olympic opening ceremonies in history.

  14. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

    14. Team GB arrive at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony

    The moment we'd all been waiting for: Team GB arriving at the ceremony, to rapturous applause.

  15. Olympic Opening Ceremony fireworks

    15. Music for the Royal Fireworks?

    Going out with a bang, the entire Olympic Stadium is bathed in light as fireworks light up the London sky at the end of the Opening Ceremony.

  16. Julian Lloud Webber live Olympics Closing Ceremony

    16. Julian Lloyd Webber performs at the Olympic Closing Ceremony 2012

    Marking the beginning of the end of the Olympics, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber serenades the stadium, playing from the top of the Royal Albert Hall.

  17. British Military Band at the Olympics London 2012

    17. British Military Band at the Olympics London 2012 Closing Ceremony

    Adding a little more pomp to proceedings, a British military marching band performs during the Closing Ceremony.

  18. Choir Singers during the Olympics London 2012 Clos

    18. Choir Singers during the Olympics London 2012 Closing Ceremony

    Nothing like a choir to give you goosebumps. Remember the moment this group of singers took to the stage?

  19. Fireworks during the Olympics London 2012 Closing

    19. Fireworks during the Olympics London 2012 Closing Ceremony

    An incredible fireworks display at the Closing Ceremony.

  20. The 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, umbrellas

    20. The umbrellas take flight at the Paralympic Opening Ceremony

    Umbrellas seemed to be the theme of this brilliantly colourful opening ceremony. Ready, set, go - it's time for the Paralympics!

  21. The 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony

    21. The Union Jack is raised

    As the Union Jack is raised, Britten's rousing arrangement of God Save The Queen is piped around the stadium. Stirring stuff.

  22. The 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, Paralympics

    22. Paralympics GB Arrive!

    The response didn't get more rapturous than this! The home team went on to come third in the medals table, winning 34 gold medals, 43 silver, and 43 bronze. Incredible.

  23. The 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, Denise Leig

    23. Denise Leigh sings to the world

    Soprano Denise Leigh and actor Deepa Shastri performed during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium.

  24. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    24. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    An inflatable Paralympic Agitos during the Closing Ceremony for the London Paralympic Games 2012 at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  25. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    25. Lissa Hermans at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    Blind singer Lissa Hermans performed the National Anthem during the closing ceremony. She released the track as a single.

  26. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    26. Pyrotechnics at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    Remember these pyrotechnics? Just one of the many incredible artistic displays at the spectacular ceremonies.

  27. The British Paraorchestra Paralympics Closing Cere

    27. The British Paraorchestra perform

    The British Paraorchestra had a fantastic year last year, with the highlight being this performance on stage at the Paralympics Closing Ceremony.

  28. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    28. Paralympics Closing Ceremony 2012

    Summing up the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, these athletes enjoyed the atmosphere as an incredible summer of sport came to an end.

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