Seven-time GRAMMY-nominated violinist & composer Curtis Stewart is known for translating stories of American self-determination to the concert stage.

He recently spoke with All Classical Radio’s John Pitman about his latest album, which Curtis refers to as “a 21st century answer to Niccolò Paganini’s 24 caprices from 1830.” Thought he did not initial set out to do so, Curtis shares how this project took shape in a personal way with some caprices with pedagogy in mind.

Mostly, though, Curtis Stewart’s 24 American Caprices features a fantasias on iconic songs that Americans have grown up with and have made a part of our own lives and shared experience. However, don’t expect to be able to sing along to these impressions of songs by Duke Ellington, David Bowie, or Dolly Parton! 24 American Caprices make for a unique listening journey.