John Williams ‘Hears a Shark’ While Listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 Being Played

While legendary film composer John Williams was sitting down for an interview, musician Sarah Willis, who was conducting the interview, performed “Symphony No. 7” by Beethoven on French horn. As she was nearing a certain part, Williams exclaimed, “I hear a shark”. He then let her know that the theme for Jaws must have been influenced by that piece.

Sarah Willis asks legendary film composer John Williams if his Jaws theme might have been inspired by Beethoven’s 7th symphony. John’s answer: Beethoven had been swimming!

The Full Beethoven Documentary