Adam Smith's 'Wealth of Nations' Comes to Life in New Oratorio

Composer David Lang's 'the wealth of nations' explores the economic and moral philosophies of the Scottish Enlightenment thinker.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:45am

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Composer David Lang has created a new oratorio based on Adam Smith's seminal work 'The Wealth of Nations.' The 18-movement piece, titled 'the wealth of nations,' premiered with the New York Philharmonic and features a pastiche of musical styles, including minimalism, blues, and gospel, to explore Smith's ideas as well as the perspectives of other American thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Eugene V. Debs.

Why it matters

As the 250th anniversary of both 'The Wealth of Nations' and the Declaration of Independence approaches, Lang's oratorio provides a fresh artistic interpretation of the economic and moral philosophies that shaped the American founding. The work invites the audience to consider the enduring relevance and ongoing debates around Smith's ideas on free markets, individual rights, and social justice.

The details

Lang's oratorio uses passages directly from Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' as well as texts from 19th and early 20th century American thinkers like Emerson, FDR, and socialist leader Eugene V. Debs. The work is structured in 18 movements, including an opening 'sinfony' and a later 'pifa' movement that pay homage to Handel's 'Messiah.' While the libretto may not be as poetic as traditional opera, Lang effectively weaves the diverse philosophical perspectives into a cohesive musical tapestry.

  • The work premiered on March 19, 2026 with the New York Philharmonic.
  • It was conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, who will become the Philharmonic's music director next season.

The players

David Lang

An American composer born in 1957 who has written a new oratorio based on Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations.'

Gustavo Dudamel

The Venezuelan maestro who conducted the premiere of Lang's 'the wealth of nations' with the New York Philharmonic and will become the orchestra's music director next season.

Adam Smith

The Scottish Enlightenment thinker whose 1776 work 'The Wealth of Nations' is the primary source material for Lang's oratorio.

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What they’re saying

“This piece isn't about saying Adam Smith is wrong and Eugene Debs is right. I'm not interested in declaring good guys and bad guys.”

— David Lang, Composer

“The shepherd, the sorter of the wool, the wool-comber or carder, the dyer, the scribbler, the spinner, the weaver, the fuller, the dresser, with many others, must all join their different arts in order to complete even this homely production.”

— Adam Smith

What’s next

The oratorio's next performance will be at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The takeaway

David Lang's 'the wealth of nations' oratorio provides a thought-provoking artistic exploration of the economic and moral philosophies that shaped the American founding, inviting the audience to consider the enduring relevance of Adam Smith's ideas on free markets, individual rights, and social justice.