Tom Service, over on The Guardian, has noticed a similarity between Sibelius and the James Bond theme by Monty Norman.

Alex Ross on The Rest is Noise has helpfully put together an audio extract comparing the two examples here.

I’d like to add another Sibelian Similarity: this time, by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, one-time sideman with Miles Davis and sax player with the great fusion band, Weather Report.

The melodic line from the theme to ‘Port of Entry’ on Weather Report’s live album from 1980, Night Passage, has always reminded me of the beginning of the trombone theme from Sibelius’ great Seventh Symphony.

(The sax theme enters at 25”.)

And the Sibelius theme:

(The theme itself starts at 5’ 25’’). 

With a difference in the third note (and obviously in the rhythmic design), the shape articulated by the first gesture of the melody is similar in both cases:

Was Wayne Shorter, like Monty Norman, a secret Sibelius fan as well ?