Alexander Hanna is one of today’s leading bassists who’s inspiring musicianship has been described as “outrageously talented” (Chicago Tribune). He was appointed Principal Bass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Riccardo Muti in 2012. Prior to his Chicago appointment he served as Principal Bass of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for four years.
Hanna has appeared as concerto soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Bottesini’s 2nd Concerto in ’22 with Riccardo Muti, Mazzoli’s Dark with Excessive Bright in ’21 with Edwin Outwater and Vanhal’s Concerto in ’15 with James Conlon. He has also appeared as concerto soloist with the Bellingham Music Festival Orchestra where he served as Principal Bass for three years. Chamber collaborations include Yo-Yo Ma, Mitsuko Uchida among many others.
A dedicated teacher, Hanna teaches for the Sphinx Organization, Chicago Musical Pathways, DePaul University, The Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Pacific Music Festival (Sapporo, Japan.)
Born in Bowling Green, Ohio, Hanna is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. His primary teachers were Harold Robinson, Edgar Meyer, Scott Haigh, Virginia Marks and Kay Moore.
Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium 