Tallā Rouge

Tallā Rouge, lauded by Chamber Music America as the “little viola duo that could,” boldly reimagines the landscape of classical music by embracing a fusion of genres that live at the palpable crossroads of Jazz, Folk, Pop, Middle-Eastern, and Western Classical influences. The name Tallā Rouge, meaning ‘the Red-Gold’ in both Farsi and French, pays homage to the rich Persian and Cajun heritages of American violists Aria Cheregosha and Lauren Spaulding. Cultivated under the mentorship of Roger Tapping at The Juilliard School, this groundbreaking duo holds the prestigious distinction of being the inaugural ensemble in residence at the esteemed Dumbarton Oaks, a renowned research institute affiliated with Harvard University. 
 
Aria and Lauren’s intrinsic need to capture the spirit of music is fueled by a mutual love for outreach, accessibility, and authenticity, values that set the tone for the duo’s refreshingly intimate stage presence. Sharing the belief that “good music is good music”, Tallā Rouge presents the works of living composers alongside the reimagined classical favorites of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart, inviting an open dialogue through their unbound programming that encourages a redefinition of classical music in our evolving and interconnected world. 
 
Recognized internationally for their emotional performances, Tallā Rouge received first-prize at the Frances Walton Competition, was awarded as a top-prize winner for the International Anton Rubinstein Chamber Music Competition, was invited to showcase in the 2023 Chamber Music America Conference, and was awarded NOLA ChamberFest’s “Emerging Ensemble” of the year for the 2022—2023 season. Tallā Rouge made their Carnegie Hall debut with Tigran Mansurian’s powerful Lachrymae in June of 2023, and holds the prestigious distinction of being the inaugural ensemble in residence at the esteemed Dumbarton Oaks, a renowned research institute affiliated with Harvard University. 
 
Drawn to folk, West-Asian, gender marginalized, and LGBTQ+ influenced composers, Tallā Rouge has commissioned over 30 new or transcribed works for viola duo from acclaimed composers such as Leilehua Lanzilotti, Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Meredith Monk, Andrew Yee, Caroline Shaw, Jessie Montgomery, Gemma Peacocke, Kian Ravaei, and many more. In a continued effort to champion new compositions for viola duo, Tallā Rouge runs an international viola duo composition competition, aiming to lead a renaissance in viola duo composition.  

You can catch Tallā Rouge on NPR Live Sessions by Clicking Here!