Tarta Relena and Meara O’Reilly’s “Hockets for Two Voices”

Electronic-accented Catalan folk duo Tarta Relena, composed of Helena Ros and Marta Torrella, makes its Cleveland debut at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Founded in 2016, Tarta Relena is dedicated to exploring the rich tapestry of a cappella music with roots stretching across the Mediterranean. With a unique repertoire spanning traditional oral music to original compositions, Tarta Relena weaves the distinct timbres of two voices into a complex yet simple harmony. Renowned for its captivating live performances, the duo has enchanted audiences at festivals, including Sónar, Le Guess Who?, Mutek, Big Ears, and Primavera Sound.

The duo’s latest album, És Pregunta, delves into the realm of tragic thought, narrating tales of characters ensnared by fate’s inexorable pull. Tarta Relena captures the tension and enigma of the unknown through a musical and lyrical exploration, inviting listeners into a world where conventional boundaries are transcended. Join Tarta Relena on a journey through the mysteries of existence, portrayed through the intimate and profound medium of voice.

Opening for Tarta Relena are Mingjia Chen and Linnea Sablosky performing Meara O’Reilly’s Hockets for Two Voices.

Meara O’Reilly is a composer and artist, focusing on perception and new musical interfaces. Her Hockets for Two Voices album was released on Cantaloupe in 2019. It was named in several year-end best-of lists, including Artforum, Bandcamp, and Second Inversion. Her work has been presented at Carnegie Hall, Bang on a Can, National Sawdust, Los Angeles’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall, Bauhaus Dessau, and as part of Wild Up’s Endless Season. 

Linnea Sablosky is an LA-based musician with a passion for close harmony and intricate rhythms. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, they grew up studying Balkan singing and West African drumming. Linnea has toured internationally with world folk choir Northern Harmony and released records with vocal ensembles Stone Fruit Trio and Wheeler & Sablosky. 

Mingjia Chen is a singer, composer, and improviser, originally from Beijing, China. Her debut LP, Star, Star, was recently released on Amsterdam Records. Mingjia leads a chamber ensemble, the Tortoise Orchestra, is a member of the band Uoou, and has performed with Roomful of Teeth.

The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art.