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PHOENIX (September 27, 2024) – The Phoenix Symphony announced that Rolf Haas has been appointed as concertmaster of The Phoenix Symphony, beginning with the 2024/2025 season. Haas will occupy the Herberger Foundation Concertmaster Chair and will begin his tenure when the Symphony opens its season with The Planets in September.
Rolf Haas has been described as “fearless” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Haas combines virtuosity and an expansive sound palette, playing concerts all over the world as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Prior to joining The Phoenix Symphony, Haas played in the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and has performed as second violin leader of Kammerakademie Potsdam in Germany as well as concertmaster of the Mozaic Festival Orchestra. He has toured Europe as Soloist in major concert halls including The Palace of Arts (Budapest, Hungary), Lisinski Concert Hall (Zagreb, Croatia) among others performing the Violin Concerto of Alban Berg. Rolf plays on the Gagliano violin on which the Berg Concerto was debuted.
Born in Minneapolis, MN, Haas made his Solo Debut when he was 14 years old with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra under Conductor Lynn Harrell and has since enjoyed a diverse and far-reaching musical life. In 2021, Haas was named Blake School’s Young Alumnus of the Year, and in the same year received a Performance Leadership Certificate online from Cornell. He has recently been featured on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Rolf Haas to The Phoenix Symphony,” said Peter Kjome, Symphony president and CEO. “Audiences in Phoenix will delight in his artistry and commitment to our community. Our new concertmaster joins our great orchestra at an important moment in its history, and we are delighted that Rolf has joined the Symphony family.”
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About The Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is Arizona’s largest performing arts organization and one of the state’s most important cultural assets. In addition to performing traditional and modern repertoire in Symphony Hall and around the Valley, its world-class musicians are actively engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporation, and individual support. The Symphony is strengthened by collaborating with renowned guest conductors and artists. The core mission of The Phoenix Symphony is to provide extraordinary musical experiences that inspire and advance our community, enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. Annually, orchestra members empower more than 125,000 students through education and partnerships and create opportunities for deeper connection for tens of thousands of adults experiencing homelessness, in Alzheimer’s care facilities, in hospitals and in hospice. Overall, Phoenix Symphony musicians traveled more than 14,000 miles across Arizona in 2023 to volunteer in Community Engagement and Education activities.
To learn more, please visit phoenixsymphony.org.
