A decade ago, William Hagen had to choose between baseball and music. Friday’s performance with the Utah Symphony offered strong evidence that the Salt Lake City-born violinist chose wisely.
The former shortstop turned an impressive double play in his return to Abravanel Hall, soloing in two French showpieces. Hagen made his professional debut with the Utah Symphony when he was 9. Now 24 and sporting a beard, he demonstrated unimpeachable technique and keen musical sense in a stirring performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. He seemed in complete command of the impressive 1735 Guarneri del Gesù violin he recently acquired on a long-term loan from the Stradivari Society.