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Review: tuscon.com - November 2016
CONDUCTOR HARADA THRILLS, ENERGIZES IN TSO CONCERT
Violin soloist William Hagen was tapped at the last minute — last week — to fill in for a pair of guest violinists who called in sick. The move resulted in the TSO changing its program from the Mozart Sinfonia concertante in E-flat Major to Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3.
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Preview: The Salt Lake Tribune - August 2016
A FULL PLATE FOR UTAH SYMPHONY'S HOTODA AT DEER VALLEY THIS WEEK
Salt Lake City native Will Hagen, who has picked up honors including a third-place finish at the Queen Elisabeth International Competition since his last appearance with the Utah Symphony, returns on Friday to solo in the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, which he considers "one of the greatest pieces of music ever written."
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Interview: violinist.com - May 2016
HELP NEEDED: HOW TO LAUNCH A CAREER IN MUSIC
Playing on a c. 1675 Andrea Guarneri violin, his energetic presence and buoyant sound had audience members leaping to their feet to applaud after just the first movement. The other two movements brimmed with intensity, as well as an impressive range of musical color...
"Classical music is one of the only industries where some students are managing high-profile careers while still trying to finish school"...
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Review: Florida Times - February 2016
SYMPHONY REVIEW: VERDI, BRUCH, AND SHOSTAKOVICH PLAYED WITH PRECISION AND BEAUTY
William Hagen’s violin rises from the orchestra to ever-loftier heights with a performance that is as passionate as it is poignantly phrased. The second movement is pure romance. Hagen’s beautiful tone captures the heartbreaking themes that are woven delicately within the soulfully played orchestral accompaniment. The energetic, gypsy-themed finale’s rhythmic drive exudes vigor and yet resonates with rapture. The audience flew to its feet at the concerto’s conclusion and at the playing of Hagen’s encore, Bach’s “Prelude in E Major.”
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Interview: Florida Times - February 2016
WILLIAM HAGEN, WHO PLAYS WITH THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY THIS WEEK, FINDS LIFE ON THE ROAD 'AWESOME'
Perhaps the career highlight thus far for 23-year-old violinist William Hagen came last year during the 2015 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition... 
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Review: Le Soir - May 2015
QUEEN ELISABETH COMPETITION: WANG AND HAGEN
Hagen brought a great deal of lyricism and control to the opening theme in the allegro moderato, a refined expression of this demanding work whose real value resides above and beyond its technical difficulties.
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Review: Theater Jones North Texas Performing Arts News - February 2014
ALL IN THE TIMING
One thing that stood out was his dead center intonation. One example came early on in the concerto as he flashed through a passage of parallel octaves; the ultimate intonation test for string players. He also caught the constantly changing mood of the composer. The long spinning melodic phrases of the second movement and the technical brilliance that is scattered throughout the concerto were all played with a sensitivity to the composer's intent. The audience loved it and gave him a rapturous ovation when it was over.
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Review: Classical Music Review - January 2014
CLASSICAL MUSIC REVIEW: INTERESTING PROGRAM, MIXED PERFORMANCES FROM FWSO
Even in an age when brilliant young violinists seem to grow on trees, 20-year-old Hagen, whose teachers have included Itzhak Perlman, is a standout. He tossed off the most virtuosic passages of the Saint-Saëns with amazing precision, but he also made music — not mere whizzings of notes. Both here and in the lyrical middle movement he always knew where the music was going and why.
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Review: Theater Jones North Texas Performing Arts News - March 2013
WHERE THERE'S A WILL
This was the most enjoyable performance of this work in memory. Hagen got a standing ovation and, like the last time he appeared here, the orchestra members themselves applauded, especially the strings, rather than the polite bow taps that even the biggest stars elicit.
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Review: DFW.com - December 2012
A CRITIC PICKS HIS TOP 10 CLASSICAL MUSIC MOMENTS OF 2012
Contrasting power and lyrical beauty...
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Interview: Salt Lake Tribune - March 2010
YOUNG 'MOZART' JUGGLING MUSIC CAREER, HIGH SCHOOL
Lockhart was impressed by Hagen several years ago and booked him for the Deer Valley Music Festival and a summer tour. Betting on a youthful unknown was a dicey move that paid off...
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