PRIVATE SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY EVENT: February 8, 2026
Chopin's Preludes: A Life, in Fragments
A private film screening of the original film “Chopin’s Preludes: A Life, in Fragments”, is a feature-length documentary film about, in Zarankin’s own words: “the ways that Chopin’s Preludes intersect with our lives. The result is an exciting hybrid film that blends live performance with our own immigrant story.”
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker Marcel Canzona, and Off Centre’s founders, pianists Boris Zarankin and Inna Perkis.
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
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