Was iconic Jaws theme inspired by this Beethoven classic?
Since being unleashed in movie theatres back in 1975, Jaws the movie and it’s score have unquestionably continues to influence filmmakers. But has a recent interview with Jaws composer John Williams revealed a possible inspiration for the classic shark theme?
Initially laughed at by director Steven Spielberg, John Williams’ ‘shark theme’ for Jaws has become one of the most recognisable and influential motion picture scores of all time. Giving Jaws the shark it didn't have (the animatronic creature kept breaking down), Spielberg went on to laud Williams’ genius as being responsible for 50% of the movie’s box office and cultural success.
Internationally renowned French horn player and member of the Berlin Philharmonic OrchestraIn Sarah Willis interviewed movie music maestro John Williams in November 2020 and suggested something quite remarkable.
With her French horn to hand, Sarah played a few bars from the 3rd movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 7th symphony for Williams. As Sarah imitates a small part played by the trumpets and gets to a repeating two note phrase, Williams’ eyes brighten and he smiles saying '“I see a shark!”. Sarah agrees with Williams cheekily suggesting that Beethoven had “…been swimming.”
Listen to John Williams’ ‘shark theme from Jaws’ below.
5 interesting things about Beethoven’s 7th symphony.
Beethoven was staying in the Bohemian spa town of Teplice in the hope of improving his poor health when he began composing his Symphony No. 7 (and very soon after, No. 8) from 1811-1812.
During the premiere, the piece was conducted by Beethoven himself, who was so engaged with the music that he would jump in the air to introduce fortes.
When the work was premiered in December 1813, it was so well received that the second movement was encored immediately (you can imagine the outrage if that was done today!)
Tchaikovsky apparently described the finale as ‘a whole series of images, full of unrestrained joy, full of bliss and pleasure of life’. While Wagner described it as ‘the apotheosis of the dance. The sheer physical energy of the work – expressed in bracing, muscular rhythms – can, in some performances, border on the unnerving.’
The sombre second movement is probably the most well-known movement within the work. It has been featured in countless adverts, TV shows and movies. One example is the climactic scene from the 2010 Academy Award Best Picture winner, The King’s Speech.
Watch Sarah’s full interview with John Williams below - skip to 57 mins.
Words by Ross Williams
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