Turning a Victory into a Lasting Voice

In May 2025, oboist Oliver Talukder captured the top prize in Cedille Records’ second, Zell Family Foundation-sponsored Emerging Artist Competition, earning the opportunity to record his debut album. His forthcoming project is more than a personal milestone — it’s a testament to Cedille’s mission of championing Chicago’s finest classical musicians and sharing their artistry with audiences around the world. For more than three decades, Cedille has paired exceptional talent with top-notch recording resources, creating lasting recordings that elevate underrepresented voices in classical music.

This fall, immediately following his performance at Soirée Cedille on Sunday, September 28, Oliver will record an album that is both a love letter to his hometown and a celebration of his parents’ love story. The program reflects the richness of his multicultural heritage, moving from the whimsical charm of Alyssa Morris’s Four Personalities to Oliver’s own arrangement of Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2. Listeners can also look forward to Jeffrey Agrell’s Blues for DD, Marina Dranishnikova’s Poem, Reena Esmail’s Jhula Jhule, and Oliver’s arrangements of selected Florence Price songs. Another highlight will be a work commissioned from Oliver’s fellow Curtis alumna, Delfin Demiray, created specially for Oliver and mezzo-soprano Judy Zhuo.

By blending beloved classics, vibrant contemporary works, and personal arrangements, Oliver’s debut comprises both artistic statement and heartfelt tribute. With the support of our community, Cedille continues to transform artists’ visions into recordings that endure, ensuring that the music of Chicago’s most talented performers reaches listeners far beyond the concert hall — from our city to audiences across the globe.