March 29, 2026
WE’VE GOT RHYTHM (IN 1, IN 2, IN 3, IN 4, IN 5, IN 6… IN TEN!)
If Stravinsky is to be trusted (and, believe us, he is!), “there is music wherever there is rhythm, as there is life wherever there beats a pulse.” We promise you an afternoon of magical, life-affirming rhythms: from the Basque patterns of Ravel’s Piano Trio, to the sensuous dances of forest nymphs throughout his four-hand arrangement of Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, to the halting, child-like patter of Mussorgsky’s Nursery songs, to the soft and slow gongs and bronze kettle tones of a Gamelan ensemble! We make no medical claims, but the concert may induce dancing feet and/or slight euphoric levitation.
Featuring:
Tom Allen, host | Mira Kardan, cello | Elina Kelebeev, piano | Clara Nguyen Tran, viola | Maeve Palmer, soprano | Inna Perkis, piano | Mark Skazinetsky, violin | Boris Zarankin, piano | Ilana Zarankin, soprano
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.