Plutonian Ode
Encyclopedia
Plutonian Ode is a poem written by American Beat poet
Allen Ginsberg
in 1978 against the arms race and nuclear armament of the superpowers
. It is heavily inspired by Gnosticism
which Ginsberg came to know after reading Hans Jonas
's book on the subject. Philip Glass
' Symphony No. 6
is based on and includes parts of this poem.
Beat generation
The Beat Generation refers to a group of American post-WWII writers who came to prominence in the 1950s, as well as the cultural phenomena that they both documented and inspired...
Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
in 1978 against the arms race and nuclear armament of the superpowers
Superpower
A superpower is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests...
. It is heavily inspired by Gnosticism
Gnosticism
Gnosticism is a scholarly term for a set of religious beliefs and spiritual practices common to early Christianity, Hellenistic Judaism, Greco-Roman mystery religions, Zoroastrianism , and Neoplatonism.A common characteristic of some of these groups was the teaching that the realisation of Gnosis...
which Ginsberg came to know after reading Hans Jonas
Hans Jonas
Hans Jonas was a German-born philosopher who was, from 1955 to 1976, Alvin Johnson Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York City.Jonas's writings were very influential in different spheres...
's book on the subject. Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...
' Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 6 (Glass)
Symphony No. 6, also known as the Plutonian Ode Symphony, is a symphony composed by Philip Glass. It is based on the poem Plutonian Ode by Allen Ginsberg; parts of which are sung by the soprano soloist in the work. The symphony was commissioned by Carnegie Hall in honor of Glass' 65th birthday and...
is based on and includes parts of this poem.