Rudolf Haken

Associate Professor of Viola

B.M., University of Illinois; M.M., Rice University.

Rudolf Haken enjoys an international reputation as one of the finest violists of his generation, as well as a leading teacher and mentor for younger violists. He has toured Europe to critical acclaim. The Badische Zeitung praised Professor Haken’s “absolutely infallible intonation, intense concentration, and endless variety of interpretation,” while the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung lauded him for his “extroverted, resonant tone” and the “delicate, yet strong intensity” of his playing.

Professor Haken, who conducted his first orchestral works at the age of 10, is active in the new music scene, both as performer and composer. He has been a featured performer at conventions of the Society of Composers, Inc. and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States. In 1996, Professor Haken was commissioned by the Radiological Consultants Association to compose a trumpet concerto, which was premiered by Paul Merkelo, principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony. In 1998, Professor Haken premiered his Concerto for Five-String Viola and has performed the work with several orchestras in North America and Europe. He also has recorded several CDs of original chamber compositions, and now has a recording contract with Centaur Records for a CD of his concertos, featuring oboist Nancy Ambrose King, clarinetist J. William King, conductor Julien Benichou, as well as Professor Haken playing a five-string viola built for him by David Rivinus.

As violist for the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera, Professor Haken has performed under such renowned conductors as Christoph Eschenbach, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Neville Marriner. Professor Haken has served on the faculty of the Interlochen Music Camp, Hot Springs Music Festival, and Musikalischer Sommer in Ostfriesland. He has also been an adjudicator for the Houston Symphony Artists, Midwest Young Artists, American String Teachers Association, and Chicago Viola Society competitions.

The viola studio provides an atmosphere of intense study in a supportive, nurturing environment. Through performances at weekly studio classes, required and optional recitals, auditions and competitions, students gain performance experience while receiving productive, encouraging feedback from their peers. I place great emphasis on the development of a completely relaxed and comfortable approach to the instrument. Learning to practice properly and without strain is of paramount importance, as the rigors of viola study demand a tremendous amount of time with the instrument. Individual learning styles weigh heavily in the development of a practice regimen, which I establish with each student through analysis and discussion. To prepare for professional life, students work through technical exercises, études, solo recital repertoire, chamber works, and symphonic literature. In matters of interpretation, students are taught how to come upon a compelling and convincing execution themselves. By developing a thorough understanding of music as well as a formidable technique, each musician’s unique personality can be allowed to fully flower.