Alfred Hitchcock films to receive new scores for London Olympiad

A number of Alfred Hitchcock's early films will receive new scores as part of the London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad.

The British Film Institute has commissioned new orchestral music from composers Nitin Sawhney, Tansy Davies and Daniel Cohen for Hitchcock's silent films.

Cultural Olympiad director Ruth Mackenzie expressed her enthusiasm for the project, describing it as "ambitious".

"I'm delighted that the BFI is developing an ambitious programme for the London 2012 Festival and that one of the world's best loved film makers will be celebrated in the Olympic and Paralympic year," Mackenzie said.

In 2010, it was announced that nine of Hitchcock's restored silent movies, followed by a retrospective on the British director, will be shown at the Festival.

In addition, as part of next year's Cultural Olympiad celebrations, BBC Two recently commissioned television adaptations of Richard II, Henry IV Part I and II, and Henry V starring Ben Whishaw, Patrick Stewart and David Suchet.