The JAGD Quartet is one of the leading multi-generational chamber ensembles performing today – and they all happen to be related.
To call the Moroz-Hoebig family musically talented is putting it lightly.
Juliana Moroz, a cellist and top prizewinner in a number of festivals and competitions. Her brother, Alexander, a recent graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa, who also sports plenty of impressive accolades and awards. Gwen Hoebig needs little introduction – celebrating 35 years as concertmaster of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and, her husband, David, chair of the piano department at the Desautels Faculty of Music.
It is from the first letters of their first names that give the quartet its name: JAGD (pronounced ya-kt) – the German word for “hunt.”
“There are a number of works – not necessarily for piano quartet – that composers have written (that use the word in the title/as inspiration),” says violinist Gwen Hoebig. “It just seemed to work... we looked at it and went ‘oh! That’s actually probably a very appropriate name for us!’”
Given their busy schedules (not to mention the fact that they don’t all live under the same roof in the same city), the chance to perform as a family unit is certainly a special one.
“We relish the opportunity,” says Hoebig. “We’re very grateful to the Women’s Musical Club for giving us this opportunity (to perform).”
A number of different combinations present each player in the spotlight to begin the program – music for violin, viola and cello with piano accompaniment, string trios and solo piano writing – before all coming together in the second half.
“The Schumann Piano Quartet (in E-flat, op. 47) we all love to play together,” says Hoebig, who calls the work an “obvious choice” given they’ve performed it a number of times in various locations over the years.
The JAGD Quartet, presented by the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg, perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30 at WAG-Qaumajuq.
Tickets and more details available at: www.wmcwpg.ca