Ginsberg, Allen (Glass, Philip)

Hydrogen Jukebox (Libretto)

New York, NY: Dunvagen Music Publishers, Inc., 1990. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. "Lightning's blue glare fills Oklahoma plains,/ the train rolls east/ casting yellow shadow on grass/ Twenty years ago/ approaching Texas/ I saw/ sheet lightning/ cover Heaven's corners/ Feed Storage Elevators in gray rain mist,/ checkerboard light over sky-roof/ same electric lightning South/ follows this train/ Apocalypse prophesied- / the Fall of America/ signaled from Heaven-" (from "Part One/ Song #1," pg. 3) The original libretto for Hydrogen Jukebox, the legendary theatrical production which set the poetry of Allen Ginsberg to the music of the acclaimed American composer-performer Philip Glass. The production had its World Premiere in May of 1990, & was staged for a year at various venues including the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The libretto consists of 21 numbered songs in two parts, followed by two Addendums. All of the numbered songs are poems, or excerpts therefrom, by Ginsberg- from his various publications & mostly compiled in the doorstopper Collected Poems: 1947-1980 (1985, see item No. 4467); the shorter, later collection White Shroud (1986, see item No.s 1818, 4502) or in the case of the addendums from later manuscripts (see image of pg. 2, copyright & "Libretto Paradigm"). For example, the above-quoted lines are from the poem "Lightning's Blue Glare" in Iron Horse (1974, see item No.s 1527, 3429). Large booklet in stapled wrappers, first edition, first & only printing (though not stated as such at copyright page). Morgan, E296, pg. 350. From the collection of Kevin Ring, editor, publisher & writer extraordinaire of Beat Scene magazine & other indispensable productions (many available here), & our good friend in the UK. A very rare & most collectible piece of miscellany by the Founding Father of the Beat Generation-&-Beyond, with reference to the canonical contemporary composer Philip Glass. In near-fine condition with mild rubbing, browning, spotting & occasional short, faint creasing to front, back covers & stapled spine; some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same; one short, slightly angled horizontal tear at blank upper right edge of front cover; staples beginning to rust with no apparent bleeding; light rubbing & spotting to edges of text block esp. upper edge. Interior very fine with only very light browning, occasional spotting to blank inner covers; tiny bumps at corners of a few page leaves. Near Fine. [Item #5389]

Price: $80.00