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Adam Smith, Set to Music

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Adam Smith, Set to Music

TL;DR

  • David Lang's new oratorio, *the wealth of nations*, is based on Adam Smith's *The Wealth of Nations* and premiered by the New York Philharmonic.
  • The work models Handel's *Messiah*, using texts from Adam Smith, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Eugene V. Debs, among others.
  • Lang states his intention is not to declare 'good guys and bad guys' but to present ideas for listeners to consider.
  • Musically, the oratorio features a pastiche of styles, including minimalism, with varied sections ranging from playful to bluesy and gospel-inflected.
  • The reviewer found the piece sincere and admirable, though occasionally tedious, ultimately deeming it a valuable contribution for bringing attention to Adam Smith's work.