Grand organizer of the music that has consistently set the pace for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, arranger and composer Victor Le Masne, 42, looks back on the success and impact of this summer soundtrack featuring, "Parade," the event's official anthem, which will be released online on platforms on Friday, September 13.

Yes [laughs]! I've already had some success composing for artists like Juliette Armanet, Justice, or with my own group, Housse de Racket, but that was nothing like the reception "Parade" got. The song became something that went beyond me. Its strength lies in its association with emotions and sensations that are now part of the collective memory.

It was born in February 2023, at the very beginning of my composition work for these Games. I didn't start out thinking it was going to be the Olympic anthem. I'd had a lot of discussions with Tony Estanguet [president of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024] about an athlete's emotions before, during and after a competition. I was carried away by a sporting narrative. The first notes came on the piano. I liked the idea of a melody that was simple, not simplistic, but recognizable, singable, that could unite people. By changing the chords, the rhythm, the orchestral color, while repeating the same melody, I felt I could illustrate the different emotions of the sport and the supporter. Starting with a symphonic beginning, then moving on with a crescendo and acceleration, I wanted to signify that the Games were coming to France and into our lives. The more danceable pop and electronic part, synonymous with jubilation, could be taken up in chorus.

I'm a sports fan but I'm also a fan of great concerts – Queen, Michael Jackson and Johnny Hallyday. What they have in common is the audience and the stadium. I did a lot of thinking, in an almost analytical, "musical theory" way, to try and understand what could unify musically and transform itself into an anthem. In fact, as a child, I was very influenced by the song "Barcelona" [1987] by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé which was used as the anthem for the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992.

I loved the whole experience, the way I was able to take hold of all these worlds, to mix these musical universes, to collaborate with all these artists, orchestras, these 575 musicians. The most gratifying thing was to receive the confidence of Estanguet, Thierry Reboul [executive director of the Olympic ceremonies] and Thomas Jolly [artistic director of the ceremonies] to build this musical story while keeping my direction and my instinct.

You have 57.32% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.