Karl David Van Hoesen (June 29th 1926 – October 3, 2016) was an American bassoonist and second professor of bassoon at the Eastman School of Music where he succeeded his teacher, Vincent Pezzi. During his career, Van Hoesen was second bassoon of the Cleveland Orchestra, and principal bassoon of the Rochester Philharmonic. Van Hoesen became known as a prolific bassoon pedagogue, and his students went on to occupy positions in the majority of American symphony orchestras.
Biography
Early Life
Van Hoesen was born in Rochester, New York, and began playing bassoon in the Rochester public school system. His father, violinist and conductor Karl Van Hoesen, taught at the Eastman School and in the Rochester public schools.[1] He attended the Eastman School of Music from 1946 to 1950, and graduated on June 12th, 1950 with a Bachelors Degree and performer's certificate in bassoon. While at Eastman in 1947, he was invited to play bassoon with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta. In 1948, Van Hoesen purchased Heckel bassoon #9280, which he would go on to play for the remainder of his career.[2]
Career
In the fall of 1950, Van Hoesen was appointed the inaugural bassoon instructor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Shortly thereafter in 1951, he was appointed to the position of second bassoon with the Cleveland Orchestra by George Szell. Van Hoesen was also named bassoon professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, teaching there from 1952-1954. In 1954, he won the position of principal bassoon with the Rochester Philharmonic, which at the time was a joint position with professorship at the Eastman School of Music. In 1957, Van Hoesen auditioned for the position of principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra, but was named runner up to Bernard Garfield.[3]
Later Life
Van Hoesen retired from the Rochester Philharmonic in 1971, and retired from his teaching position at Eastman in 1991. He continued playing bassoon with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta until 2011. He died in Pittsburgh, PA on October 3, 2016.