“Der Alpenjägr” (“The Alpine Hunter”) by Franz Schubert

In this song Schubert tells the story of a hunter, hiking up a mountainside thinking of his sweetheart at home. When he reaches the top, a beam of sunlight reminds him of her.

Harold in Italy, Movement 1 ”Harold in the Mountains” by Hector Berlioz

This piece is basically a symphony with a solo viola featured, so in some ways resembles a concerto. The work tells the story of Harold, who is portrayed by the viola. In the first movement, Harold is in the mountains, it begins  somewhat sadly before becoming more confident and happy. 

Ce qu’on entend sur la montagne (What one hears on the mountain or Mountain Symphony) by Franz Liszt

This tone poem is based on a poem by French author Victor Hugo. In the composition, Liszt wanted to portray two voices one singing a joyous hymn, while the other is sad and full of pain. Eventually the two voices join each other before dying away.

Symphony on a French Mountain Air by Vincent D’Indy

The composer heard a folk song while traveling in the mountains of southern France. He used the melody as a basis for a symphony featuring a large piano part, which is rather rare.

From the Steeples and the Mountains by Charles Ives

Charles Ives was an American composer who often combined different sounds and ideas to create his music. In this piece, he remembered a hike he took as a child where he heard church bells from four different churches at the same time, all sounding different notes. He tried to replicate the experience, using four sets of bells and brass.

Alpine Symphony by Richard Strauss

This piece is a mountain of music! The work, which depicts an eleven hour day for a mountain climber, calls for 125 musicians and lasts for almost an hour. During the symphony, Strauss portrays a sunrise, a waterfall, a pasture, a wrong turn, a glacier, a thunderstorm, and finally the descent home.

String Quartet No. 2, Op. 7, “From the Monkey Mountains” by Pavel Haas

Haas was a Czech composer. He published only a limited number of works in his short life because he died in a Nazi concentration camp. In this work, he features jazz influenced music in a string quartet accompanied by percussion.

The Lake in the Mountains by Ralph Vaughan Williams

This piano piece was adapted from a film score the Vaughan Williams wrote for the movie 49th Parallel. The film is set in World War II and follows six German soldiers who are stranded in Canada after their submarine is destroyed. This section show two of the soldiers as they try to cross the Rocky Mountains.

Mysterious Mountain by Alan Hovhaness

This symphony was commissioned by Leopold Stokowski and the Houston Symphony and was premiered live on NBC television. The music uses elements from hymns and Renaissance music.

Cold Mountain by Jennifer Higdon

This opera is based on a novel of the same name and tells the story of a Confederate Army soldier who deserts during the Civil War to return home to his family in North Carolina. Higdon, who grew up in Tennessee, added Appalachian music and speech patterns that she heard growing up. She took music from the opera to create a suite for orchestra.

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein

In this classic musical, the mother superior urges Maria to face all the challenges in her life no matter how big. The song is also used at the end of the movie as the family escapes across the mountains.

“Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver

This pop song was made famous by John Denver and became one of two official state songs for Colorado.

“My Tennessee Mountain Home” by Dolly Parton

A song about the small mountain cabin where Dolly Parton grew up.

“The Big Rock Candy Mountain” by Harry McClintock

A very early song about perfect place for hobos where all their needs would be met.

“Blue Ridge Mountain Home” by Flatt and Scruggs

A traditional bluegrass song about a home in the mountains.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Ashford & Simpson

A classic Motown hit which was originally released by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and then covered by Diana Ross. It became Ross’ first solo number one hit. The Gaye and Terrell version was featured in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.