Symphony on a Hymn Tune

Symphony on a Hymn Tune is a four-movement orchestral composition by the American composer Virgil Thomson. The work was Thomson's first symphony and was composed between 1926 and 1928 while Thomson studied with the composer Nadia Boulanger in Paris. However, the work was not premiered until February 22, 1945, with Thomson leading the Philharmonic Symphony Society in New York City.

Lasting roughly twenty minutes in performance, Symphony on a Hymn Tune is composed in four movements:

The first three movements were composed between 1926 and spring 1927, though Thomson, daunted by the finale, did not begin work on the fourth movement until July 1928. The piece was completed in late 1928 and was lightly revised by Thomson before its premiere in 1945. The protestant hymns "Jesus Loves Me" and "How Firm a Foundation" serve as a thematic basis for the symphony, but the work is also influenced by other historic sacred music styles. Additionally, the piece occasionally references the popular tune used in the song "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

The work is scored for two flutes (one doubling on piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four French horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, snare drums, rattle, tambourine, triangle, cymbals, tamtam, bass drum, and strings (violins I & II, violas, violoncellos, and double basses).

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