ARTICLES & REVIEWS
The Salt Lake Tribune
Trials of a Prodigy - Feb. 19, 2006
"Violinist Will Hagen has been a frequent soloist with the Utah Symphony over the last few years, but this weekend, the Utah native who makes his home in Salt Lake City makes his subscription debut. And considering the way he played Max Bruch's G minor Concerto at Friday's concert, under the baton of Christopher Seaman, this will hopefully not be his last appearance in Abravanel Hall.
Only 17 years old, Hagen plays as if he's a veteran of his instrument. And in many ways, perhaps he is. He has real talent, and that was readily apparent from the opening notes he played. Hagen has an assured tone, poise and, although he is an unassuming young man, he has a commanding stage presence.
Bruch's concerto is a work that exploits the instrument's melodic possibilities, and Hagen displayed his radiantly expressive playing throughout. He captured the lyricism of the opening movement with his beautifully phrased playing that was wonderfully articulate and perfectly executed.
Hagen plays an Amati violin from 1665, and its rich rounded tone is particularly well suited for this work. That was especially evident in the Adagio, which he played with gorgeously phrased eloquence.
But he was also able to showcase his remarkable technical acumen in the last movement, giving a dynamic reading that nevertheless was infused with lyrical touches"
Salt Lake Tribune, March 27, 2010
"....a fine young soloist in 16-year-old William Hagen. Hagen has impressive technique on notable display in the "perpetual motion" section in the third movement - and presence, and an unusual depth for one his age. Stare kept things moving quickly; he, the orchestra and the soloist all seemed to be on the same page at all moments. In an attempt to forestall premature applause, he didn't hesitate between movements; some determined clappers broke in between the second and third anyway, but most waited until the end to reward Hagen with a huge ovation."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 31, 2009
"In the Bruch Violin Concerto, William Hagen displayed a warm and pleasant tone and a confident mastery of the intricate fingerwork, which all came together well in the ripe and bouncing finale."
Albany Times Union, January 21, 2009
The Topanga Messenger, November 15, 2007
"The Deer Valley Music Festival has nearly reached its midpoint, and it would seem it has run out of big-name artists like earlier guests Kenny G and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But not to worry, 13-year-old violinist William Hagen provided enough of a "wow" factor to compensate.
Performing with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the Salt Lake City native tackled French composer, violin virtuoso Henry Vieuxtemps' challenging Concerto No. 4 in D minor. The charming prodigy played with the heart of a poet, creating elegant, lyrical phrases and spine-tingling tones.
Wearing a white dinner jacket that matched symphony members', Hagen played the work's opening phrases cleanly and in tune, with enough passion to keep an appreciative audience riveted. Quick snatches of notes and rich double-stop passages were easily executed in the work's "Scherzo" movement, and the fiery last movement further high-lighted an interpretative gift limited only by his inexperience and still developing technique.
Shouts of "bravo" and a standing ovation (no easy feat from the low-slung Deer Valley chairs) greeted the performer as he took well-deserved bows."
The Salt Lake Tribune, August 7, 2006
"Hagen closed out the evening with a stellar performance of Julius Conus' one-movement Concerto in E minor. His playing was stunning, exhibiting a maturity and keen musicality that went far beyond his years. He made short work of the concerto's virtuosity, giving a richly nuanced and articulate performance." Deseret Morning News, August 28, 2005