Symphony No. 50, Mount St. Helens
Alan Hovhaness
Work background
Researched classical background
Hovhaness gave this symphony an explicit connection to Mount St. Helens and its 1980 eruption. Its three movements move from landscape and a love song associated with Spirit Lake toward the volcano's destructive activity. Large orchestral contrasts serve the descriptive plan. The score belongs to his extensive series of mountain-related works, but its geographical subject is unusually specific.
Inspiration and creative background
The landscape of Mount St. Helens and the 1980 eruption are explicitly identified in the composer's programme.
Alan Hovhaness catalogue: Symphonies 46-67
1981-82 composition of Mount St. Helens, Op.360 and composer programme | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Hear the contrast between the quieter lake music and the eruption represented in the finale.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1981-1982
Composed 1981-82; completed in January 1982.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Mount St. Helens
Alan Hovhaness catalogue: Symphonies 46-67
1981-82 composition of Mount St. Helens, Op.360 and composer programme | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Concord: Hovhaness Mysterious Mountains
Mount St. Helens movements, Spirit Lake and eruption programme | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Alan Hovhaness catalogue: Symphonies 46-67
1981-82 composition of Mount St. Helens, Op.360 and composer programme | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Concord: Hovhaness Mysterious Mountains
Mount St. Helens movements, Spirit Lake and eruption programme | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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