American Guitarist Wins French Award

Boston-based classical guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan received a French award recognizing his contributions to the world of music. The Médaille d’Étain from the Socièté Académique Arts–Sciences–Lettres of Paris, France was awarded on June 22 in a ceremony in Paris.

The ASL medal, with 100 years of history, is awarded to those who have achieved excellence in the arts. Larget-Caplan was selected last fall by French painter Dominique Boutaud, a USA Representative of the Arts-Sciences-Lettres.

As part of the award process, Larget-Caplan submitted a portfolio of his professional career. “The process of collecting and reflecting on the last 15 years of my musical life was extremely rewarding,” said Larget-Caplan,” as I was reminded of so many wonderful people who are in my life because of music. It is easy to only look forward in an art that is, for the most part, ephemeral, so this was a gift I did not expect, but needed.” 

As an international touring performer and Stone Records (UK) recording artist, Larget-Caplan has performed solo and chamber music in Russia, Europe, Taiwan, and across the United States. Since his debut at age 16 at the Tabor Opera House, he has premiered more than 80 solo and chamber compositions, soloed with orchestras, directed concert series, commissioned compositions for guitar from 50 composers, and presented classes and concerts in schools and communities. He is on faculty at the University of Massachusetts Boston and formerly the Boston Conservatory.

He is collaborating with composer Vineet Shende for Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach, a re-imagining of Bach preludes from the Well-Tempered Clavier in a South Indian style. Larget-Caplan founded the dance and guitar ensemble ¡Con Fuego! (With Fire!), a passionate cross-fertilization of flamenco dance and Spanish classical music. His four solo CDs have received critical acclaim, particularly his latest, John. Cage. Guitar.

Larget-Caplan has received awards and grants from the American Composers Forum, New England Foundation for the Arts, American Composers Alliance, New England Conservatory, D’Addario Foundation, Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, and numerous Local Arts Councils. In 2014 he was awarded as an I.D. LOTT –Identifying Future Leaders of Today and Tomorrow for his artistic and community work in Dorchester. The international music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon named him an ACME Honoree as a distinguished artist and educator. 

More information is at www.arts-sciences-lettres.fr and at www.alcguitar.com.
Blog post about the ASL Award: http://alcguitar.com/blog/aslaward/

Hi-Res PR Photos: http://alcguitar.com/media-highres.php