Career
From 1888 to 1894 van Hout was the violist of the Ysaÿe Quartet along with cellist Joseph Jacob, and violinists Mathieu Crickboom and Eugène Ysaÿest He was principal violist of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie from 1889. Van Hout was professor of viola at Royal Conservatory of Brussels from 1893.
He taught a generation of Belgian violists uncluding Robert Courte, who succeeded him at the Conservatory, Charles Foidart, Lionel Blomme, and Gaston Jacobs.
Van Hout inspired many Belgian composers to write works for the viola. Jean Absil (1893–1974)
Concerto for viola and orchestra, Operation
54 (1942)
Francis de Bourguignon (1890–1961)
Suite for viola and orchestra, Operation 67 (1940)
Raymond Chevreuille (1901–1976)
Double Concerto in East♭ major for viola, piano and orchestra, Operation
34 (1946)
Quartet for 4 violas, Operation
24 (1942)
Albert Huybrechts (1899–1938)
Pastourelle for viola and piano (1934)
Sonatine for flute and viola (1934)
Séraphin Lonque (1873–1943)
Concerto Number. 1 in G minor for viola and orchestra, Operation 13
Léopold Wallner (1847–1913)
Suite Polonaise for viola (viola alta) and piano (1896).