October 19, 2025
FROM MELANCHOLY TO SURREALISM, WITH LAUGHTER IN BETWEEN
We open the season under the tutelage of the authority on all things melancholy, the master of unrequited love himself: our favourite Schubert (at his most pensive this afternoon, in his Fantasia for four hands and his Arpeggione Sonata). But there cannot be tears without laughter and Schubert was certainly the life of the (musical) party! We will be sure to join in the silliness with his enchanting vocal trios Die Advokaten and Der Hochzeitsbraten. But the revelry isn’t over yet – we’re party hopping! Bring your masks and finery as we head to Poulenc’s Bal masqué (for soprano and chamber orchestra), only to end our afternoon entranced by Ravel’s Tsigane, for vioin and harp (masquerading as a luthéal).
* AN INAUGURAL COLLABORATION WITH THE GLENN GOULD SCHOOL
Highlights:
Tom Allen, host | *Alyssa Bartholomew, soprano | *James Coole-Stevenson, baritone | Nico Dann, percussion | David Eliakis, piano | Lori Gemmell, harp | Sheila Jaffé, violin | *Mira Kardan, cello | *Nicholas Kluftinger, bass | *Jeffrey Liu, tenor | Inna Perkis, piano | Mark Skazinetsky, conductor | Krisztina Szabo, mezzo soprano | Boris Zarankin, piano | Chamber Orchestra (with additional instrumentalists from the Glenn Gould School)
* Student from the Glenn Gould School
Off Centre Music Salon presents:
Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes,
a Bechstein Piano and Boris:
Telling Life Stories
An “Off Centre” Art Film - conceived and developed by Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin
Introduction and historical context provided by Dr. Julia Zarankin
From Glenn Gould to Oscar Peterson
to Boris Zarankin, a piano is a very individual choice
From William Littler at Toronto Star
Pianos are more individual than is sometimes realized. When I was on the jury of the Sydney International Piano Competition in Australia, I noticed that the contestants were offered a choice of four different pianos. Although most initially chose Steinway, by the final round some switched allegiance to Yamaha. Steinway had neglected to send a technician to maintain its piano in tip-top condition.
Boris Zarankin’s 1879 Bechstein from Berlin was by no means in tip-top condition when the Toronto pianist bought it in Seattle many years ago. But after submitting it to a thorough restoration, he found it to be an ideal agent for his recording of Shostakovich’s “24 Preludes.”
Read the full article at Toronto Star
Current Season Artists
For a complete list of our 2025-26 artists click here.