“Like a single super viola” (Gramophone Magazine) Tallā Rouge boldly reimagines the landscape of classical music, fearlessly embracing a fusion of genres that live at the palpable crossroads of Jazz, Folk, 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.  Harnessing “Dynamic and diverse repertoire, killer technique, and enough heart to make it all matter” (I Care if you Listen) this duo holds the prestigious distinction of being the inaugural ensemble in residence at Dumbarton Oaks, the esteemed research institute of Harvard University- following in the footsteps of Igor Stravinsky, Jessie Montgomery, and Caroline Shaw. 

Tallā Rouge recently made their Carnegie Hall debut with Tigran Mansurian’s powerful Lachrymae, received first-prize at the Frances Walton Competition, and was awarded as a top-prize winner for the International Anton Rubinstein Chamber Music Competition. As avid supporters of their viola community, Tallā Rouge was invited to join the American Viola Society as Artist-in-Residence in 2023, and will be a featured ensemble on the 2024 inaugural American Viola Society album.

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. Tallā Rouge presents the works of living composers like Meredith Monk, inti figgis-vizueta, and Jessie Montgomery in an open dialogue with the evolution of classical music in our interconnected world.

As a champion of new music, Tallā Rouge acts as co-artistic directors the International Viola Duo Composition Competition in collaboration with Vox Novus, aiming to lead a renaissance in viola duo composition. This year’s competition is in will be adjudicated by Princeton Universities head composer — Dan Trueman. 

Aria and Lauren are GRAMMY Recording Academy voting members

Tallā Rouge | طلای سرخ