David Lang•Composer and Professor of Composition, Yale University
Executive Summary
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to create "The Wealth of Nations," an oratorio inspired by Adam Smith's seminal economic text.
The episode follows Lang's creative process, exploring how he translated dense economic theory into an emotional musical experience by focusing on themes of human connection, labor, and community.
Lang incorporates texts from other American thinkers like Frederick Douglass and Eugene V.
Debs to create a broader, more critical conversation about wealth, inequality, and the moral structure of commerce.
The discussion also covers Lang's broader philosophy on music and community, highlighting his collaborative ethos through his work with the Bang on a Can festival and his belief in making music more democratic and participatory.
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Concerns Raised
The financial precarity of artists in the United States.
The challenge of making a dense, "dry" economic text engaging as a musical piece.
The potential for Adam Smith's work to be misinterpreted or used to justify hypocrisy.
Opportunities Identified
Using art to make complex economic and philosophical ideas accessible to a wider audience.
Fostering community and collaboration through large-scale, participatory musical projects.
Re-examining foundational texts of capitalism through a modern, critical lens.