Freakonomics Radio

673. What Is Money?

May 1, 2026·54 min·5-min readnarrativedocumentary
Podzilla Summary (5 min)
TLDR
Composer David Lang, a Pulitzer Prize winner and Yale professor, creates a modern oratorio titled The Wealth of Nations, inspired by Adam Smith’s 1776 economic treatise and musically modeled after Handel’s Messiah. The episode follows Lang’s creative journey—from reading Smith’s dense

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Guest

D

David Lang

narrative on Freakonomics Radio

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

David LangAdam SmithFleur BarronStephen DubnerGustavo DudamelEugene V. DebsFrederick DouglassRalph Waldo EmersonEdith Wharton

Books

The Wealth of Nationsby Adam SmithJust (The Song of Songs)by David LangThe Little Match Girl Passionby David Lang

Companies

New York Philharmonic

Topics

EconomicsInequalityLong Form JournalismMusic IndustryPolitical News

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