Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Philip Glass
Hydrogen Jukebox (1990)
- Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc (World)
Commissioned by the Spoleto Music Festival USA, Charleston, SC and the American Music Theater Festival, Philadelphia, PA
Music-theatre piece by Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg and Jerome Sirlin.
Libretto (English) by Allen Ginsberg.
- ssx(fl).ssx(tsx.bcl)/2perc/2syn(pf)
- 2 Sopranos, Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
- 1 hr 30 min
- Allen Ginsberg
- English
Programme Note
Drawing upon Ginsberg's poetry, this music/theatre piece is a portrait of America that covers the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, seen by the collaborators Glass, Ginsberg and Sirlin. Its content ranges form highly personal poems of Ginsberg to his reflection on social issues: the anti-war movement, the sexual revolution, drugs, eastern philosophy, environmental awareness. The six vocal parts represent six archetypal American characters - a waitress, a policeman, a businessman, a cheerleader, a priest, a mechanic.
Scores
Reviews
Twenty-one years after its premiere, the work remains provocative for its critiques of misjudged wars, corporate abuses and political flimflammery, and its embrace of homosexuality and drug use. Glass's score has his familiar undulations and pulsings, but also surprisingly lush harmonies....gathering emotional intensity.
1st October 2011
Discography
Hydrogen Jukebox
- LabelNonesuch
- Catalogue Number79286-2
- ConductorMartin Goldray
- EnsemblePhilip Glass Ensemble