The London Philharmonic Orchestra will record the national anthems of all 205 countries participating in the 2012 Olympics.

Cellist, composer and conductor Philip Sheppard will take charge of the recordings, which will be played at the medal and welcoming ceremonies. The recordings will be made at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London in May.

It is expected to take the 36 musicians more than 50 recording hours over six days to finish the project. The final sessions will be completed in September 2011 and be part of the whole Cultural Olympiad, The Telegraph reported.