The guitar virtuoso Aaron Larget-Caplan discusses his new album Guitar American 250: Revolutionaries and Rockstars (Navona Records, 2026), with Joseph Planta.
Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:
I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.
Aaron Larget-Caplan joins me now. The celebrate guitar virtuoso and composer has just released a new album, Guitar America 250: Revolutionaries and Rockstars. In the album, he and guest musicians and poets mark more the American semi quincentennial with songs that span the life of the republic from traditional songs from before the Civil War through the two World Wars, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “Over There,” among others. There are songs from the 20th and 21st century, like Bernstein’s “America” from West Side Story, Van Halen’s “316” and Paul Simon’s “America.” Also represented on the album are the arrangements of John Cage, Alan Hovhaness, Ian Wiese, and Florence Price. And the words of Francis Harper, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, and John Cage are represented on the album with guest artists reading stirring and historical words. Aaron also provides a reading on the album, an amended version of the Bill of Rights that is not only inspiring but urgent. I’ll ask Mr. Larget-Caplan about the album, his work as a musician and educator, and what the album represents as he views his country, its past, and this momentous anniversary. It’s doubtless harder for people outside the United States to like America at the moment, and I’ll get Aaron to address that. But the music as rich and varied as it is on this album, representing so much of what America has meant, makes for a great album. Visit www.alcguitar.com [1] for more. The new album is available for streaming and download on all the usual sites. It is a Navona Records release. We spoke three weeks ago, with Aaron joining me from Boston. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Aaron Larget-Caplan; Mr. Larget-Caplan, good morning.
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