Winter Olympics Sochi 2014: Closing Ceremony in pictures
Ever wondered what 61 pianos playing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 look like? Incredible highlights from the Closing Ceremony in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, with Russian classical music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tiomkin, and Khachaturian.
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1. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
An incredible view of Fisht, through a fish-eye lens, capturing the magic of the firework spectacular at the Closing Ceremony.
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2. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Music from It's a Wonderful Life by Dimitri Tiomkin plays around the stadium as three children, Lubov, Valentina and Yuri, fly overhead in a boat.
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3. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Denis Matsuev brings Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 to millions around the globe as he performs in Fisht stadium. No pressure.
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4. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Pianos galore in the stadium, creating a diamond shape around soloist Denis Matsuev.
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5. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
And he's joined by 60 performers in inexplicable wigs. Did no one tell them Rachmaninov's hair doesn't look like that?
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6. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Ever wondered what 61 pianos playing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 looks like? This might give you a clue. Stunning.
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7. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
61 composers dressed in tails and wigs join Denis Matsuev to perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2.
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8. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Rachmaninov fills the stadium as Russian pianist Denis Matsuev shows the world the wonders of Russia's musical history.
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9. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Khachaturian's Waltz filled the stadium as three children, Lubov, Valentina and Yuri celebrate Russia's literary talents.
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10. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Portraits of Russia's finest literary figures including Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Chekov in Fisht stadium, with pages of literature lighting up the floor in a stunning display.
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11. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Lights, literature, thousands of volunteers, and a packed audience fill the stadium to mark the end of an inspirational two weeks of sport.
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12. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
The circus is here! Celebrating the long-standing tradition of circus performers, the stadium transforms into a huge tent.
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13. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Impressive displays of contortion from Russia's circus performers, exploding onto the stage in traditional colourful costumes.
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14. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Performers from the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky theatres wow the audience as they perform to Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov.
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15. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Two stages rise from the floor of the Fisht stadium as Russia's finest dancers perform on either side.
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16. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Ballet dancers from the Bolshoi theatre perform to the stadium audience in Fisht.
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17. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
A recreation of the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky theatres, indoors, complete with chandeliers.
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18. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
A choir of Russian children sing the national anthem, conducted by none other than Valery Gergiev.
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19. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Yuri Bashmet conducts the orchestra as the 1000-strong choir performs the national anthem.
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20. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Russia proves it can laugh at itself, poking fun at the 'Sochi fail' moment from the Opening Ceremony where the Olympic rings failed to open - recreated here by hundreds of dancers in silver costumes. Obviously.
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21. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
But it's no 'Sochi fail' this time around - all five rings open to the sound of fireworks and cheering in the Fisht stadium.
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22. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
The Olympic rings are complete - this calls for a firework celebration.
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23. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Bidding farewell to the Olympic mascots, there's no sign of the ceremony winding down any time soon!
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24. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Opera star Hibla Gerzmava performs from a floating gondola inside the Fisht stadium.
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25. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
Fireworks light up the night sky over Sochi as Russia celebrates a successful games.
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26. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
And it's all over, a stunning firework finale from the Sochi 2014 games.
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27. Winter Olympics Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony
A suitably celebratory finale to Russia's spectacular winter games. See you in Korea 2018!
